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2 Gap Years?

Does anyone know anyone who has taken 2 years out before going to uni (gap - or otherwise...)
I might have to for financial reasons (I am liable to pay overseas tuition fees) but I'm afraid that after 2 years I will lose academic momentum/motivation, and that I will be tooo old compared to my peers.
I would probably work for at least one of the two years, and probably continue part time education in the mean time (oh god, not more A levels please!)
What do you all think?

Reply 1

Flicker

my boyfriend had 2 years out before he went to uni, but that was because he had no intention of going when he left school, he worked for a couple of years then decided he wanted to go after all!

he's done much better because of it - he has a better work ethic and because he's paying for most of it he's more responsible.

i don't think you'd lose your work ethic, especially if you're working to earn money to go - you have a clear aim and also an incentive to work!

What are you thinking of doing at uni?

EDIT: also thought i'd mention my boyfriend is the youngest on his course. he's doing music tech and i don't think that's a particularly specialist "mature" student subject, most people don't go to uni straight from school so i really don't think you should worry about being too old!

Reply 2

Madelyn

my dad went to uni nine years after he took his A levels, and still had a great time, got a decent degree, and met the love of his life (my mother, ten years his junior). His school career had been somewhat patchy to begin with - he was expelled at 15, having hated his school, and spent much of his time at college deeply depressed, in addition to other health problems. The time out (spent working and travelling) allowed him the independance he needed as well as an opportunity to examine his priorities. As a result, when he did eventually go to university, he was more dedicated than many of the other students and made the most of things - he was highly active in the union, involved in several societies, etc. - and probably got more than other people out of his time there.
So I don't think you'll have much of a problem.

Reply 3

jamie7

I know it's not quite the same but someone I know took a few years out inbetween school and college (he was 21 when he went to college). He had a great time and as a result of being an independant student he gets alot more finanicial help than he would otherwise. He's having a great time in Uni now. Apparently there are alot of "older" students that go to Uni, by older I don't mean mature as such, just that some people have taken gap years to go travelling or to work.

From my own experience, I've found that I've lost a bit of momentum. It is quite boring working full time but I'm so glad I've done it. I've found that I've grown up alot from working fulltime, you learn things that can never be taught. I've saved up alot of money for University as well. I think that's a huge plus - when most people are broke in Uni you'll have a bit more money :biggrin:

I was going to do some part time learning but this turned out to be too inconvenient as I;d rather work full time instead of take extra A Levels etc. I have the qualifications I need already for Uni and as I would have to pay for extra subjects I decided against it.

I don't think you'll be too old, I mean, if anyone thinks you are then they're too immature to be at Uni anyway. Uni is for everyone not just for 18 year olds.