The Student Room Group

Should I take a gap year and how does deferring a uni offer work?

Hi,
I know and have pretty much always known what I want to study at uni and what career I want to go into - landscape architecture, so I have no doubts about that. I know what university is my first choice, and my second, and my third. However, I've just started year 13 and work load has got a lot heavier for me, and it's dawned on me that before I start uni may be the time in my life I have the most freedom to do my bucket list stuff and personal development etc - my uni course is 5 years and I know that I want to get straight into my career after that, and I want to have a family some day and a really successful career. I have dreams of travelling Europe but I don't know if they're very realistic. I could get a job nearby that I enjoy enough, like at my local garden centre perhaps, save up some money, take up some new hobbies, then go travelling for a month, and still have a little money left as a start for uni finances. I've really never considered this route before - would the gap year drag on forever, or would I regret it if I didn't step out of my comfort zone and try some new things? I'm very academic and always revising- would I be able to get back into this rhythm again after a gap year?
Also, when do I have to decide if I'm going for the gap year or straight to uni? Can I defer my offer on results day for a guaranteed place the following year or would I have to make this decision before my exams?
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Lilacfern
Hi,
I know and have pretty much always known what I want to study at uni and what career I want to go into - landscape architecture, so I have no doubts about that. I know what university is my first choice, and my second, and my third. However, I've just started year 13 and work load has got a lot heavier for me, and it's dawned on me that before I start uni may be the time in my life I have the most freedom to do my bucket list stuff and personal development etc - my uni course is 5 years and I know that I want to get straight into my career after that, and I want to have a family some day and a really successful career. I have dreams of travelling Europe but I don't know if they're very realistic. I could get a job nearby that I enjoy enough, like at my local garden centre perhaps, save up some money, take up some new hobbies, then go travelling for a month, and still have a little money left as a start for uni finances. I've really never considered this route before - would the gap year drag on forever, or would I regret it if I didn't step out of my comfort zone and try some new things? I'm very academic and always revising- would I be able to get back into this rhythm again after a gap year?
Also, when do I have to decide if I'm going for the gap year or straight to uni? Can I defer my offer on results day for a guaranteed place the following year or would I have to make this decision before my exams?

Hi @Lilacfern

I did a gap year before starting uni and really enjoyed it. I found it was a good break from studying which has made me more motivated to study. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to work and travel prior to starting university.

I would recommend contacting each university you are applying for to see whether defering would be an option as this can vary depending on the university and course.

Hope that helps!
Sophie
BCU Student Rep.

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