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Around 20% of post-18 students will consider taking a year out. How are you going to decide if a year out is right for you? What can you do? What do you want to get out of it? When would be the best time to go?
According to UCAS.com, the benefits of a well structured year out are now widely recognised by universities and colleges and cannot fail to put you in good stead for the future.
However, time out can also have an adverse effect on some people. You may find that your interests have moved away from the work responsibilities you previously held. Or you may get out of the habit of studying.
Taking time out does not have to happen after A-Levels/AVCE - you could consider doing it after you have graduated or once you have worked for a number of years.
Planning is the key to a successful year out and here are a few tips to consider before taking the plunge:
Advantages
- A break from study
- Independence and maturity
- Opportunity to earn money to help finance your studies
- Oppoprtunity to gain experience that may be useful to your HE course
- You may learn new skills which could help in employment
- If you are unsure of whether to go on to higher education, a year out will give you time to make decisions
Disadvantages
- You may get out of the habit of studying
- Once you leave education you may not want to go back
- You have to find and fund something to do for a year
- You need to justify your year out on your UCAS form
- If your plans fall through you could be left with nothing to do for a year
To see a powerpoint presentation from the exploits of some Guernsey gap year students please see below.
Phoebe and Rebecca
Useful websites
www.gapyear.com - particularly the 'getting started' page
www.yearoutgroup.org- lists organisations by subject - from conservation to sport
www.coolworks.com- for people who want to organise their own year out.
www.yini.org.uk- for a year out in industry
www.i-to-i.com -volunteer projects for your year out
www.aventure.co.uk - Africa and Asia experiences
www.bses.org.uk - Youth development charity based around true exploration
www.flyingfishonline.com- good links if interested in watersports or snow sports
www.raleigh.org.uk - Challenging environmental and community projects around the world
www.gap.org.uk - GAP activity projects overseas
www.sgu.edu - 10 days at Camp Medicine to see what it takes to become a doctor or veterinarian.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/ Gap year information
www.lonelyplanet.
woodyswebwatch
travel sites:
www.fco.gov.uk
www.roughguides.co.uk
www.statravel.com
www.trailfinders.com
Please note that these are third-party links and, as such we cannot take responsibility for inaccurate or out-of-date information. |