Taking a gap year has become an increasingly popular choice for students and graduates in the UK. In fact, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) estimates that around 200,000 – 250,000 young people in the UK take a gap year each year.
In this article, we answer all of your burning questions, including
- What is a gap year?
- What are the benefits of taking a gap year?
- How do I know if taking a gap year is the right decision for me?
Let’s dive in.
What Is A Gap Year?
A gap year is a period of time (usually 12 months) that a student used to work, travel, volunteer, or gain some life experience. It’s most common to take a gap year between secondary school and university or after university.
Not everyone’s gap year lasts for a full 12 months. For some, a couple of months is enough time to gain the life experience they want before continuing their education or entering the workforce.
The main idea behind taking a gap year is to give yourself time to pause and reflect before starting the next phase of your life (whether that be further education or full-time employment). We spend 12 years in education before we even get to university. Every aspect of our lives is planned for us. So, some time off before taking the next step can be beneficial.
In addition, taking a gap year can give burnt-out students time to relax and recharge before university or starting work.
There’s no right or wrong way to take a gap year, but here are some common ways to spend your time:
Travelling: A gap year is a perfect opportunity to see the world. Many students opt to travel and work (either full-time or part-time) during their gap year.
Looking for work abroad opportunities? Check out our work abroad blog series for tips on finding work overseas.
Working: University is expensive. So, many UK students choose to work for a year to earn some money before starting university. On top of making some money, it’s a great way to build your skills, gain work experience, and figure out your career path.
Browse our gap year jobs board for the latest student opportunities →
Volunteering: Many students choose to volunteer during their gap year. Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience and have a great time while doing it. Whether you choose to volunteer in the UK or overseas, it’s a rewarding way to spend your gap year.
Browse our volunteering jobs board for the latest student opportunities →
Personal development: Taking a gap year to gain valuable life experience is a popular route for many students and graduates. It allows you to develop the real-life skills you will need during university and your career. This could involve caring for family members or taking a vocational training course.
Benefits Of Taking A Gap Year
There’s more to taking a gap year than just lounging around on your parents’ couch. Gap years empower students to stop and reflect on what they want to do with their lives. It’s a chance to gain insight into your goals and what you need to do to achieve them.
Here are 5 of the main benefits of taking a gap year.
1. Recharge your batteries
You’ve probably spent the last 12 years in full-time education. So, it makes sense to take some time off before jumping into another 3+ years of studying. If you’re feeling burnt out, taking a gap year gives you the opportunity to recharge before you begin studying again. That way, you start university refreshed and ready to give 100%.
The same goes for taking a gap year after graduating. By that stage, you have spent at least 15 years in education. Taking a break before you enter the stressful world of working full-time allows you to prepare mentally and physically. Plus, it will give you a chance to take stock of what you’ve achieved and what your next steps should be.
2. Get some work experience
Most young people have very little work experience by the time they graduate. Taking a gap year is a perfect way to develop important life skills and professional experience. This will prepare you for your career and significantly boost your chances of landing your dream graduate job.
It’s easy to get swept along during school and university. We often pick our degrees based on the subjects we did well in at school. However, this doesn’t always mean it’s the right graduate career path. Taking a gap year and earning practical experience will give you a clearer idea if your chosen path aligns with your goals, skills, and lifestyle.
3. Develop life skills
You won’t just need to develop soft skills and technical skills to find a career. You’ll also need to develop valuable life skills, such as budgeting, living on your own, and paying taxes. Taking a gap year gives you a headstart on honing these skills so that you can already stand on your own two feet when you start university or your first graduate job.
Learning how to be an adult and look after yourself is a valuable life skill that will make your transition into university or working life much more seamless.
4. Have financial freedom
Even if you have a part-time student job, the chances are your income has been pretty low up until now. A gap year gives you plenty of opportunities to make some money. Without the demands of your school timetable, you can choose to work full-time and save enough cash to cover your university expenses.
Alternatively, if you’re a graduate planning to do a Master’s, taking a gap year to work in between degrees will give you some financial freedom. There are also plenty of opportunities to earn money if you plan to travel during your gap year. For instance, you could look for summer jobs or seasonal work.
5. Get out of your comfort zone
It may sound like a cliché, but taking a gap year is the best way to discover more about yourself. A gap year is an opportunity to experience new things, meet new people, and see what life outside of school is really like. The more new experiences you have, the more you will get to know about yourself. What are your passions? Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time?
Spending time outside your comfort zone will give you great insight into who you are outside of your family and friends. This will stand you in good stead as you start your career or next round of studies.
Is Taking A Gap Year Right For You?
There’s no doubt about it; taking a gap year can be a hugely rewarding experience. That said, it’s not the right choice for everyone.
For a gap year to be successful, you need to have a plan and goals that you want to achieve. Otherwise, you could find you have wasted a year and achieved nothing. It can be tough to transition back to ‘normal life’ after a gap year, so it’s important to make sure it’s the best decision for you.
So, how do you know if you should take a gap year?
Only you can decide if taking a gap year is right for you. But, if you answered yes to any of the questions below, it could be a good option:
- Are you feeling burnt out and exhausted?
- Do you feel lost or unsure about your career path?
- Are you concerned about your financial situation?
- Do you have itchy feet or a thirst to travel?
- Are you feeling like you aren’t ready to start the next chapter?
- Do you want to build your skills before you look for a job?
- Are you passionate about volunteering?
- Are you thinking about dropping out of school?
Before you make any big decisions, ask your family and friends for advice. They will be able to support you as you make the decision and help you plan your gap year.
Taking A Gap Year? How Developing A Student Can Help
Taking a gap year is a life-changing experience. You have the chance to travel, gain work experience, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Plus, you can build the real-life skills you need to take the next step in your career.
While the benefits are clear, taking a gap year is a big decision. Always speak to your family, friends, and teachers before you take the plunge.
Our resource hub is packed with useful information and career advice for young people considering a gap year. You’ll find everything from CV writing tips to advice on how to write a high-quality cover letter.
Be sure to check our gap year jobs board for opportunities near you.
We also recommend checking out our blog every Wednesday to stay ahead of the latest employment news and trends.
If you have any additional queries, please feel free to get in touch or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter below.
