Gap years have long been a very common practice in many European countries, and in the wake of the pandemic they are gaining popularity in the US, with triple the number of students taking a gap year after graduation compared to pre-pandemic numbers.
Triple!
This surge is backed up by compelling data that shows that students who take a gap year gain motivation to continue their education, perform better in school, and graduate at higher rates compared to their peers. Students that take gap years also self-report that they are more confident, have a better understanding of the world, feel more certain about their majors, and many other benefits after taking a meaningful gap year.
And that seems to be the key. A MEANINGFUL gap year that fosters growth and maturity is a lot different than a lay around on the couch scrolling year that many parents picture when they hear the term “gap year”. So, how can you help your student make a gap year meaningful? Here are four tips to get you started:
Have a Clear Purpose: Like most endeavors in life, it is important to know what you hope to get out of a gap year before you start. Does your student want to experience different cultures? Do they want to learn new skills, or a different language? Do they want to make money for college?
A gap year really needs a North Star to be successfully planned. If what you plan together helps your student accomplish their North Star, it should probably be in the plan. If it doesn’t, it should probably be on the chopping block.
Research. A Lot: It’s really cool how many gap year possibilities and programs there are out there, and it’s important that your student doesn’t just rush into the first one that sounds decent. As your student starts to identify the purpose of their gap year, they should be doing a lot of research into the possibilities that are out there. It would be very disappointing if they identified a purpose, but couldn’t really find a feasible way to accomplish what they hoped to.
A great place to start your research is on Go Overseas, but there are plenty of other helpful and easily accessible sites out there.
Create a Plan: Once the initial research has been done, and the purpose has been set, it’s time to develop a comprehensive plan that ensures that the goals for the year will be accomplished. This is not the kind of experience where winging it will suffice.
Fortunately, there are a ton of resources out there that can help you plan. The Gap Year Association has lots of free resources available, including a very helpful guide that includes planning templates. Their plans will likely change throughout the year, but starting with a solid idea of what to do, when to do it, and how it will get done is essential.
Carefully Budget: Money is obviously a huge factor in what the right gap year will be for your student, so having a realistic budget to start is key. It will also be very important that this budget is co-created with your student so that expectations stay in check and tough conversations are had ahead of time. Many families can’t afford a year of leisure and travel for their students, so if your student needs to save money or work during the year to make things happen, they need to know that up front.
Again, the internet is full of great information for budgeting for a gap year, and this topic needs to stay at the forefront of the research. One great way to learn how to budget is to hear the mistakes and successes of others, so we recommend taking a trip down a YouTube rabbit hole to hear straight from people who did, or are doing, a gap year.
A gap year can be a truly transformational experience for young people who take the time to carefully plan for a year that will help them achieve their goals. If your student is one of those kids that doesn't have a clear plan yet, or who wants to experience an adventure before starting college or their career, following these four tips can help you rest easy knowing that they are well on their way to accomplishing the great things you see ahead for them.
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