The decision to take a gap year is among the most rewarding in life. However, it is important to keep in mind that a gap year is not a year off. It is a way to develop yourself and your skills before taking the next step in your education or career.
In fact, a gap year can make a big statement regarding you as a person and can help you get into certain careers. Either way, you must know how to plan my gap year for things to work in your favor. Skimp on this, and you may not yield the benefits of taking a gap year.
It is important to note that a gap year can give you an advantage when you apply for jobs or courses. The good thing about taking a gap year is that it serves as the opportune time to think about your career plans, travel and experience other cultures, and earn money to support yourself in future study.
That’s not the end of your road since you can always choose to use your time while taking a gap year to improve your CV by doing work experience. There is also the option of getting skills you can’t learn in a classroom or simply become more mature, focused and motivated.
When you plan my gap year, it is essential that you define the activities you would like to do. Actually, you should choose activities to build the skills you think you’ll need in your future career. Among the most popular skills include leadership, teamwork, problem solving and independent learning.
Depending on your circumstances, you could consider getting a paid job, volunteer or find work experience, do a year in industry placement, travel or work abroad, resit your exams, learn a new language or take online courses.
Remember, you can always enhance your personal statement or job applications by describing your gap year in the right way. Make sure you highlight the things you’ve done or experienced, the skills you’ve learned or developed, and how you’ll apply the skills you’ve learned.