The Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year

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We all need a break from school, whether its going from high school into college, or during college. Even though there’s a risk of losing momentum after a long layoff from school, its an opportunity to regroup and explore more before taking that next big step into college, having figured out what you want to do in the future. Not only will you able to rest your brain for what’s upcoming, this allows to be fully confident on a major that interests the student, which allows for an easy transition into their careers, and they can have a chance to explore the world at their free will without be strained.

A common drawback of taking a year off from school is the lost friendships, being absent from friends. Contact can still be kept through e-mail and phone, but that may prove ineffective after a year off, as friends will have made new friends and have been adjusted to the college life. This makes it challenging to talk on the similar level or about interests and sometimes friends don’t fully reconnect after a year. This can affect a students’ social life and can show in their work when asked to work with others, especially when they are not adjusted to the new social level they are in. And don’t wait till senior year in high school to have a gap year. Start planning as early as sophomore year, because some colleges won’t allowed an accepted student to delay starting their freshman year, until they have a detailed plan on what that wants to do during their gap year (O'Shaughnessy).

Depending on how its used, gap years have costs as well. While students can benefit financially from their break, when they come back, however, they could be faced with peculiar expenses, especially those who participate in foreign study...

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...un once they start college and their careers.

O'Shaughnessy, Lynn. "8 Things to Know About a Gap Year." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 20 July 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. This source describes how while some programs can be cheap, others can cost an arm and leg, including ones that are needed for a certain major.

Ryan, Tinker. “American Gap Association.” Gap Year Data. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. This describes along with all the benefits of taking a gap year, there are a lot of statistics that back that up, including how many take a gap year and the average cost of a gap year.

Shellenbarger, Sue. “More Students Taking” Gap Year" Before College – WSJ.com." WSJ Online Article. 29 Oct. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. This source includes some statics, including some testimonials from college students about taking a gap year and how that prepared them for college and the workforce.

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