A gap year is a break that is either a year or semester-long, typically used by students to take a break from school and use the opportunity to learn new personal or professional skills. It’s used to prepare students before they start college, but some argue that it’s a waste of time.

So, does taking a gap year help or hurt?

Gap years can be incredibly beneficial. Not only do they offer a break, but they also offer an opportunity for students to work full-time.

In most cases, college is costly. If students save up money from a full-time job, they can help pay off those expenses faster, which reduces the amount of student debt that might be accumulated.

Students can also dedicate their time to traveling or learning more life experiences. Traveling can be a way to learn more perspectives in a new environment. Students can also take the time to begin learning a new language, which can be beneficial in many ways, not just for college but for future careers also.

Personal Growth is another benefit. Students can spend the break learning more about themselves and the things they like or dislike. They may even realize they may not even want college, or discover a different career interest. Taking a gap year can help students realize things about themselves they may have otherwise not found out while in college.

However, one of the biggest cons of taking a gap year is the chance a student might be alone in their decision. Going straight to college, students are still surrounded by the familiar routine of school, with the chance to make friends all around. When taking a gap year, it’s harder to stay in touch. Another con is the risk of losing momentum. Suddenly taking a break from one’s education can make it harder to go back. However, 90% of gap year participants return to college within a year. And while difficult, these obstacles aren’t impossible. With planning, it’s very possible to prepare to go back and still keep in touch with friends. It’s all about sticking to it.

A solution to making this difficult decision is to ask those who have experienced it. Ask them if taking a gap year helped their education. Another option is to research. There are countless accounts of how taking a gap year has affected past students. Use these as a guide for the big decision.

In conclusion, taking a gap year is ultimately beneficial. Most of the cons can be recovered from, and getting early experiences can help both college and career opportunities. Even a year away from school can be used to get ahead.