Gap year adivice!

Hello! I am a year 13 who is planning on taking a gap year an applying to cambridge law for 2026 entry. I have a few questions:

Will me being 1 year older than majority of students make much of a difference?
How bad is the FOMO?And how can I avoid it?
If you have taken a gap year, what were the benefits?

Also, my plans:
- Try and get involved in a women's empowerment 'Project's abroad' scheme in Tanzania (I would like to specialise in prosecution of crimes against women and girls)
- Attend gallery viewings of cases in the crown court/any court
- Listen to lots of political podcasts
- Hopefully spend some time in New York, doing admin work, experience
- Get a job
- Join a theatre club

I need opinions, This is a big decision and I'm a bit scared. All of my friends will be off at uni and I'll be going in a different direction, but I know its the best option for me to make a competitive application and restore my physical and emotional health.

Thanks!

Reply 1

JF ZAK

Original post by anonymous6778589

Hello! I am a year 13 who is planning on taking a gap year an applying to cambridge law for 2026 entry. I have a few questions:
Will me being 1 year older than majority of students make much of a difference?
How bad is the FOMO?And how can I avoid it?
If you have taken a gap year, what were the benefits?
Also, my plans:
- Try and get involved in a women's empowerment 'Project's abroad' scheme in Tanzania (I would like to specialise in prosecution of crimes against women and girls)
- Attend gallery viewings of cases in the crown court/any court
- Listen to lots of political podcasts
- Hopefully spend some time in New York, doing admin work, experience
- Get a job
- Join a theatre club
I need opinions, This is a big decision and I'm a bit scared. All of my friends will be off at uni and I'll be going in a different direction, but I know its the best option for me to make a competitive application and restore my physical and emotional health.
Thanks!

Hey! First off, I think your plan sounds super solid! I have a friend who took a gap year and really benefited from it.
As for your questions (they are answered by my friend):
- Being 1 year older: Honestly, it’s not a big deal at all. At uni, no one really cares about age since there’ll be a mix of people anyway. You'll probably be more chill and focused after a gap year too, which is a bonus.
- FOMO: It’s real, but you can totally handle it. While your friends are off at uni, you’ll be living your *own* adventure, doing all these amazing things. Staying in touch with them will help, and when you start uni, you’ll have fresh stories and experiences to share that are way different from everyone else’s. Plus, gap years give you a unique perspective that not everyone will have!
- Benefits of a gap year: People who take them usually come back feeling more mature, recharged, and focused. It’s a good chance to explore your interests and develop yourself without the pressure of exams and deadlines hanging over you.
Your plans sound epic! Tanzania sounds so rewarding and relevant to what you want to pursue, and spending time in courts and listening to podcasts is *perfect* for building up your knowledge. Mixing that with work, theater, and maybe some travel is just going to make your experience so much more well-rounded.
Totally get the nerves, but if you feel like this is the right move for you, trust your gut. Taking care of your health and making a stronger application is a *smart* long-term play. Your friends will still be there when you’re ready to join them, and you’ll be going into Cambridge with extra confidence and experiences under your belt!
You've got this!