A form of procrastination? A slacker’s path out of studying? On the outside looking in, tak- ing a gap year may seem like an irresponsible decision. However, even Malia Obama recently decided to attend Harvard after a gap year.
The concept of taking a gap year traces back to Europe, but has been steadily becoming more popular in the U.S.
A gap year is defined as a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education.
“A gap year is just another year of growth for students before they enter a four-year university,” guidance counselor Callie Robertson said. “I took a gap semester, and basically after it was over, my plan was to go back to college. A lot of times, when people go to college, they come in with one major and change it like five times. I think a gap year gives you growth as a person and furthers your maturity, as long as you have a plan.”
According to many school counselors, after individuals work, travel, volunteer or explore other interests, they tend to be more mature when they arrive at college, and more engaged in their education going forward.
There are many gap year programs available, all with the shared purpose of increasing self-awareness, learning about different cultural perspectives and experimenting with future possible careers.
Lauren Bartek, a senior attending Carrboro High school, explained her gap year plans.
“The main thing that I am going to be doing during my gap year is going to Thailand, New Zealand and I’m hoping to volunteer at a Burmese refugee camp and tutor children at a school there, as well as backpack in New Zealand,” Bartek said. “I don’t have a lot of plans yet, because I decided a few days ago, so I’m working on the rest of the details right now.”
On the other hand, many students are exploring their options independently, without the assistance of a formal program.
“Over the gap year, I hope to accomplish building a financially stable business and be able to live on my own,” senior Sean O’Donnell said. “I’m a bow fishing guide, and I have been putting up advertise- ments in gas stations and on Craigslist, and my website will be launching soon for the business I am planning to run. A gap year will help me reach success, because it will help me determine whether or not my business will be profitable.”
According to a report published in 2015 by YouthTruth, only 44.8 percent of students surveyed feel positively about their college and career readiness. Only 60 percent agreed that their high schools have helped them develop the skills and knowledge needed for college-level classes.
Many students believe that a gap year will help them become more successful.
“Success is really the reason I did the gap year; I just wanted to prove to myself that I could feel successful without going through the main- stream, like going to college and then getting
an office job and then having a family,” Bartek said. “I think the gap year will change me into a person who is more aware of what they want in life so in college I have a better idea.”
Senior Bryce Smith also decided to take a gap year.
“I decided I was taking a gap year like six months ago,” Smith said. “The location of where I want to be, Utah, is why I decided to take the gap year. I’m going to be working and trying to get in-state tuition, and I’m also going to be working toward my pilot’s license. My plans for after the year are to go to Utah State or the University of Utah.”
The idea of a gap year can be frightening for parents, especially for those who have carefully cultivated a cradle-to-college track for their chil- dren. Many fear that once their child veers away from a formal education, they won’t go back.
“My dad at first was a little bit concerned about it, just because he thought it might be a waste of money when I could be working,” Bartek said. “I wrote him a four-page paper about what I hope to accomplish. Otherwise, my friends and family are in support of it, and some of them are pretty jealous. Everybody I’ve talked to encouraged it a lot.”
Gap year experts say no one tracks the exact numbers of American students taking gap years, but most agree the trend is steadily growing in popularity.
“I think gap years are becoming more popular, because the amount of money that it takes to go to college really sets you back,” O’Donnell said. “Going to college isn’t even a guarantee that you’ll get a good job after to pay off the thousands of dollars in loans.”
– By Briana Stone