The intervening years are a hotly debated topic.
Some people like the idea of taking a year off from the traditional trajectory of their lives to explore the unknown. But others choose to stick to their own path.
No matter where you are in life, a year off may be the right choice for you. However, this is the wrong choice for all…
What is a break year?
According to Gap Year Association, the year of the break is:
“A semester or year or experimental study, usually conducted after graduation from high school and before starting a career or postsecondary education, with the aim of deepening one’s practical, professional and personal awareness.”
It is very important!
Ultimately, a hiatus year is a period when you decide to move away from the current trajectory of your life. Traditionally, people prefer to take their break years before or after college. But technically, you can take a year off at any time during your career.
Why should you take a year off
You will find many reasons why you should take a year off. Some of the more obvious reasons are:
Self-study
As you move through life, it’s normal to run into confusion. After all, you can move in many directions in life. It can be difficult to know which way to turn. The right break year can help you sort out your feelings and determine how you want your life to look.
Thomas Jespen, General manager Passion plans, is talking:
“I felt confused after school. I actually went to college, which I wanted to go to, but I remember waking up one day thinking I was making a mistake. My interim year was the best self-exploration journey I have ever undertaken. “
Avoid Burnout
Constantly participating in school or work can be exhausting. Unfortunately, many students say they burned down at school. In fact, a study by the Ohio State University General Wellness Office found that 71% of students reported burnout in April 2021. Cassandra Marsh, owner of Lakazdi says:
“Going straight from high school to university at the time seemed easy, but after a semester at university it became clear that I needed a break after so many years of continuing education.”
When she returned from a one-year hiatus, Marsh took up her degree with great enthusiasm.
Get work experience
Work experience can help you decide what you like and, more importantly, what you don’t like. In the interim year, you can choose to work in any field to see what is there.
June Escalade, co-founder of PhotoshopBuzz, there was a one-year hiatus between high school and college. The main goal was to prepare for the big exam. But Escalade says: “I also took the time to work part-time and travel.” This experience helped her learn to be part of a team and communicate with colleagues.
Save for school
College can be incredibly expensive. Depending on which path you choose, you may be uncomfortable taking on too many student loans. Thus, a one-year break can be a great opportunity to work and save money for your degree.
Need help saving money for college? Here are our top tips for teens.
Explore while there is a chance
A hiatus year is an incredible opportunity to see the world or explore whatever your heart desires.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, General manager Lawn love, it was not possible to take a break in the year. But in hindsight, he sometimes wishes for it.
“At this stage of my life and with all the responsibilities that I have, it is no longer possible to take a break in a year, so sometimes I want me to do it while I had the opportunity.”
Must you take a year off?
As with any important decision in life, taking a break for a year has its advantages and disadvantages. You can weigh the benefits in your life. In the end, it can all boil down to an intuitive decision that only you can make with all your heart.
After all, there are a few things you need to take into account before making a decision:
- Can you afford to take a year off? It totally depends on what you want to do with your year break. If you want to travel the world, consider if your finances can handle it.
- Is the annual break in line with your goals for the future? If your studies are going well, you may not want to slow down. This is especially true if you have already chosen a certain career path that you have no doubts about.
How to make the most of your pass year
If you’ve decided to take a vacation year, here’s how to get the most out of it.
Determine what you want to get over the past year
A year off will be a very personal experience. That being said, you should have a general idea of what you want to get over the past year before you start.
Here are some ideas to consider:
- Satisfy your wanderlust as you travel the world.
- Save up for college with a job.
- Invite your community to see what types of work you enjoy.
- Learn a new skill.
- Explore another part of yourself.
The reasons why you choose an interim year can vary. But without a broad goal in mind, it might be tempting to master an easy daily routine around the house. After all, it’s all too easy to dive into a Netflix series or escape reality into your favorite virtual world instead of getting the most out of this unique year.
Outline the plan
Depending on your personality, you may need a plan that covers all the details. But even a plan that only covers the generalities can be very helpful.
For example, you can organize your first volunteer concert. But decide to see where it gets you. Or you can plan a tour of the places you want to visit.
As you embark on this adventure, it may be a good idea to enter it with an open mind and a willingness to make changes along the way.
Consider your finances
Personal finance will play a role in your interim year. If you have money, it can open the way for you to travel. If you are short on funds, you may decide to take advantage of opportunities closer to home.
You can get creative with your finances to make the break year a successful one. If you need funds, consider purchasing flexible side push or learn a sought-after skill that can travel with you.
Summary
An interim year may be the right step for the future. But only you can decide if it is right for your life.
Don’t forget to think about the finances needed to fund this adventure. You might want to save some money before you get down to business.