Here at Life University (Life U), we understand that the educational landscape is constantly in flux, and we make an intentional effort to support the success of all our students, even if they choose to take a less traditional path to their educational journey. One growing deviation from the commonly recognized conduit of completing high school and then immediately enrolling in college is the concept of a gap year. According to Life U’s Fall 2024 Fact Book, our average undergraduate age is 22 years old, so it is fair to assume that some portion of our population is familiar with the practice.

In a literal sense, a gap year is typically defined as a year break from a standardized academic program, giving a recent high school graduate time to reflect and grow before enrolling in college. The Gap Year Association (GYA) defines a gap year as “an intentional period of time devoted to personal growth and exploration through experiential learning opportunities.” A gap year can be particularly attractive for those experiencing burnout and needing a breather to figure out what they truly want out of life. Ideally it should not be treated as a yearlong vacation but instead as a way to learn outside of the classroom.

GYA estimates that 40,000 to 60,000 students take a gap year each academic year on average. Whether or not a gap year is right for you depends on a lot of factors. If you decide to embark on a gap year, it is important to make a detailed plan and not leave things open-ended.

Potential Pros for Taking a Gap Year

(Adapted from “The Case for Taking a Gap Year Before College,” Harvard Business Review)

The customary 13-year K-12 educational system prescribed in the United States doesn’t leave much breathing room for true self-expression and reflection outside of the rigid curriculum structure, which may not allow students a full picture of all the compelling personal and professional opportunities available to them. The pressure to pack in every possible shiny extracurricular to appeal to an imagined dream school – marching dutifully to the well-manicured walkway dictated by parents and peers – can be a recipe for burnout for many that don’t fit a particular academic mold. Mental health and self-care are important, and many students need time to learn how to prioritize those aspect of their lives as they prepare to usher in the next phase of their education.

This also begs a very important question, one that we prioritize at Life U. “What is your Why?” Meaning, if a student or their parents/loved ones are going to spend thousands of dollars each quarter on an education, there should be a defined purpose behind it beyond the fact that it is simply time to go to college because high school is over. The National Center for Education Statistics reports roughly 30% of students in bachelor’s or associate degrees change their majors within three years of study. Of course, a change in major in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it is indicative of a change of heart in terms of priorities and goals. For those that do not have a strong call to a particular major when they are beginning college, it might make more sense to take a gap year to allow time for the right route to present itself. This will help save time and money if a change in major can be avoided, as well as allowing for a more curated educational experience. Having a more mature and well-rounded outlook as a student may help improve academic outcomes as well.

Potential Cons of a Gap Year

(Adapted from “The Pros and Cons of a Gap Year Before College”, Post University)

The motivations behind the choice of whether or not to take a gap year are vitally important. A gap year will not be particularly beneficial for individuals simply seeking to escape reality or those not making a plan to use the time effectively. There are certain logistics that may make a gap year unsuitable or impractical. From an academic standpoint, there is something to be said in terms of potential momentum lost and losing some grasp on vital material. The ability to bound back from this would fluctuate from student to student, and diligent recommitment to academic classwork would be required.

Fiscally speaking, a gap year is not a free year. If extensive travel is included in a gap year plan, naturally there will be costs incurred that are not sustainable for everyone. Then again, some people choose to work during a gap year to help save for college, which can help offset costs. Lastly, it can be a shock to lose the structure provided by a standard education, and not everyone is comfortable with forging ahead on a largely self-guided path.

Productive Uses of Time During a Gap Year

  • Working for a year in a field of interest before college can be extremely helpful in grounding future college students into what knowledge they are truly hoping to gain. It might mean completing an internship or shadowing with a workplace. Alternatively, GYA and similar organizations offer a variety of structured gap year programs that offer learning, professional and/or travel opportunities related to language skills, coding, athletics, scientific research, health care and more. Many such programs even offer academic credits that can be applied once a student enrolls in freshman year, depending on institution requirements.
  • Many students choose to take a gap year to dedicate to community service or charity work. There are even dedicated programs that can help supplement the cost of service-based gap years, such as AmeriCorps.

If you do decide to take a gap year, remember to keep in mind an end date that makes sense and to prepare for that next step in your educational journey.