So You‘re Considering a Gap Year During High School? Here‘s My Advice…
A gap year is traditionally defined as taking a year-long break between graduating high school and entering college. But what about taking a temporary break while you‘re still in high school to step off the educational conveyor belt and gain some real-world perspective? Let‘s dive deeper into the merits, considerations and logistics around pausing from standard academics during your high school career.
I firmly believe that a well-structured gap year, when timed appropriately, can profoundly shape young lives for the better through increased independence, exposure to diverse cultures and experiences, and gaining a clearer sense of personal interests and goals. However, as an educational guidance counselor for over 15 years, I also understand this represents a major diversion from the norm that requires thoughtful examination from all angles.
My aim is not to convince you one way or another, but rather to explorer this option openly, weighing pros and cons of a gap year during the pivotal high school years. Let’s delve into the critical considerations around whether pressing pause on traditional academics could be right for you.
Defining a Gap Year
First, what exactly constitutes a gap year? The American Gap Year Association defines it as "an intentional pause between high school and college that includes structured experiential learning programming with focused time for reflection."
Key characteristics include:
- Taking a temporary break from formal schooling
- Pursuing hand-on learning experiences like travel, internships, or skill-building in areas of interest
- Having opportunities for meaningful reflection and personal growth
- Exploring life outside academia before continuing studies
While most common between high school and college, about 30,000-40,000 U.S. students are estimated to take gap years during high school annually. Let‘s explore your motivations and options if you identify with this group.
Top Reasons to Consider a High School Gap Year
I‘ve witnessed many transformational high school gap year stories first-hand over my career. Here are the top motives teens cite for pressing pause:
Gain Valuable Life Experiences
85% of gap year students say the experience helped them develop skills for future careers, per American Gap Association research. Real-world experiences build confidence, problem-solving and communication abilities prized by employers.
Expand Perspectives Through Travel
Globetrotting opens eyes to diverse cultures, people and ways of life. 88% of gap year students say exploring the world shifted their worldviews. Imagine how eye-opening adventures in Asia, Australia or Latin America could be!
Pursue Interests and Passions
Between classes, homework and extracurriculars, high school leaves little free time to delve into personal interests. An Australian study found nearly 75% of gap year students were able to devote significant time to hobbies and self-growth.
Recharge from Burnout
A survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute found over 50% of youth report feeling burned out by age of 16. An Australian study found 63% of teens said a gap year provided welcome relief from academic exhaustion.
Enhance College Readiness
Gap years help students clarify academic interests and goals. One study found 90% of post-gap year students had clearer career plans and performed better once entering college.
As appealing as those benefits sound, there are also notable potential drawbacks to evaluate…
Key Challenges to Consider
While gap years allow wonderful freedom to explore passions, the relative structure and security of high school provides social connections, rites of passage and academic momentum towards graduation. Here are the core downsides to know before deciding whether to step away:
Delayed Graduation Timeline
Taking a gap year will likely prolong your high school graduation timeline to complete remaining credits. Make sure you plan ahead and get approval from counselors on requirements for eventually earning your diploma.
Limited Options Compared to Post-Grad Gap Years
Most gap year programs cater to 17-19 year old students. As a high schooler, you’ll have fewer choices and more restrictive travel barriers than older peers. Thorough research is essential to find offerings matching your age group and interests.
Need School District Approval
Gaining formal approval from administrators to take a gap year can be demanding. Outline detailed plans explaining how time away benefits academic and personal goals. Be prepared to obtain consent signatures from parents, counselors and school officials.
Missing Out on High School Milestones
While the real-world beckons, don’t underestimate how nostalgic senior year memories of football games, dances, trips and graduations become. Be sure you’re ready to forego these rites of passage for growth opportunities gap years offer.
Navigating College Admissions Impacts
Colleges have mixed views on gap years – some welcome worldly experiences while others prefer consistent academics. Understand how choices could influence admissions chances at your target schools. Compelling essays can offset any concerns.
As you weigh options, don‘t view it as a definitive yes/no choice. Rather than a full gap year, consider alternative options allowing you to gain experiences and recharge without fully postponing graduation.
Alternative Options to a Full Gap Year
Summer or Semester Study Abroad Programs
If wanderlust calls but you don‘t want to jeopardize graduation timelines, study abroad programs offer immersive overseas experiences condensed into summer/semester formats. Trusted program providers like Where There Be Dragons cater offerings to high schoolers.
Part-Time Online Coursework
Online schools provide curriculum flexibility to continue working towards your diploma while making time for other pursuits. Many allow custom pacing so you take lighter course loads each semester and supplement with passion projects orinternships.
Take a Semester Leave of Absence
If think you can complete graduation requirements in 7 semesters instead of 8, consider taking leave for a single semester. This allows an extended break more manageable to make up than a full gap year off. Get counselor approval on required credits before and after.
Short-Term Enrichment Programs
If unable to step away for a full gap year, short 2-8 week summer enrichment programs offer targeted gap year-like experiences. Outdoor leadership adventures, career-oriented internships and service programs provide meaningful summer opportunities to investigate interests.
How to Take a Gap Year During High School
If weighing pros and cons leaves you still wanting to pursue a gap year, here is a step-by-step guide to making it happen:
Step 1: Get Approval From Your School
Set up a meeting with your counselor to share your gap year intentions. Every high school has specific requirements for taking a leave of absence. Learn what paperwork needs completion, what administrators must provide consent, and policies around returning to school afterwards.
Step 2: Understand Graduation Timeline Impacts
Using gap year course completion checklists, map out exactly what credits and requirements remain for graduation along with timing plans for finishing them upon your return. Clarify extension policies and make sure you remain on track even with time away.
Step 3: Research Gap Year Program Options
The most exciting part – choosing how to spend your gap year! Some considerations as you research offerings:
- Program focus – Travel? Service? Internships? Outdoors?
- Ideal locations matching interests
- Cost/affordability factors – scholarships may help
- Student reviews assessing quality
- Health, safety, supervision policies
Step 4: Make Your Own Gap Year Plan
Once one or more gap year programs are selected, make your own comprehensive plan covering everything from:
- Personal growth goals
- Detailed activity schedules
- Travel logistics
- College prep checklist
- Budgets and funding sources
- Backup options
Follow this roadmap religiously to optimize the experience and handle any curveballs flung your way!
Step 5: Final College and Career Considerations
Before cementing gap year decisions, reflect carefully on how pressuring pause may impact your ambitions after high school. Set up some final check-in calls with your guidance counselor, teachers and parents to discuss perspectives.
- How will timeline delays influence college applications or scholarship eligibility?
- What lasting benefits towards academics and career will gap year provide?
- Are there reconciliation plans if I have a tough experience and am ready to resume school early?
By crossing all T’s and dotting I’s with careful planning beforehand, you can feel confident embarking on this momentous diversion from the beaten educational path.
And Who Knows…You Might Just Come Back with Some Amazing Stories to Share!
In my career, I‘ve seen many gap year students return brimming with captivating tales of that revelatory month volunteering in Ghana, or the impromptu train voyage across Italy when study abroad plans got disrupted.
While uprooting from routines feels nerveracking as a teen, sometimes you have to leap before fully ready to grow wings and soar to your highest heights!
Sure – you may get homesick or not click with travel companions some days thousands of miles from home. But isn’t overcoming adversity and learning more about your true self worth some temporary discomfort?
Conclusion
I hope mapping out this decision-making framework gives clarity to evaluate if interrupting traditional high school makes sense for you. A gap year holds potential for incredible adventures and growth in independence…as long as you intentional about the experience.
The world needs courageous, globally-minded changemakers willing to take the road less traveled. And that often means getting comfortable with uncertainty as you chart your own unique path.
Wishing you wisdom whichever direction your compass points after high school ends!