A gap year can open your eyes to possibilities

Last week I first talked about the concept of a “gap year,” where students don’t follow the routine pathway from high school directly to college.. Taking a year off – or a year “on,” as it is referred to by some gap-year students – has many advantages.

Many students, not just the high achievers, think that after 12 years of being on the proverbial treadmill – completing homework assignments, taking standardized tests and keeping pace with fellow students – it’s time to take a break.

Other students just don’t think they are ready for college academically or socially, and recognize that a year away from the stresses of school could be a very smart move.

The best advice I can give to someone considering taking a gap year is to talk to students who have done it, and ask lots of questions. Former gappers love to share their experiences, and are likely to attest to these benefits others have mentioned before:

You will grow and mature in ways you couldn’t have anticipated . Gap students find themselves thrust into new situations, making decisions and interacting with new people all the time. Some students choose to work, do an internship, job-shadow or volunteer during their time off, and all of these experiences provide them with a glimpse into the real world.

You will be more excited about learning. This is one of the most powerful benefits of taking a year off before college. Students frequently return home and then head to campus ready to delve into their studies. They have a greater appreciation of the range of opportunities offered from extracurricular activities to leadership programs.

You will be more focused and more confident. Very few 18-year-olds are sure about what they want to study in college. Students who have taken a gap year frequently report that they “know themselves better” and that they have a greater sense of what they want to study and why.

You will be more likely to graduate. Gappers are more likely to stay in school.

College dropout statistics are alarming. According to the American College Testing service, less than half of those entering traditional four-year colleges after high school will have graduated after five years. And 25 percent will have dropped out during their freshman year.

William Fitzsimmons, Harvard’s dean of admissions and financial aid, says that most students participating in a gap-year experience think that its full value “can never be measured and will pay dividends for the rest of their lives. Virtually all would do it again.”