The Student Room Group

Should I Do Another Gap Year?

Hi! I'm currently in my second year of university, studying English Literature and Creative Writing. I'm wondering whether to do a Gap Year after I graduate in Summer 2026. I did a Gap Year before university, where I worked as a Sales Assistant and tutor, volunteered in-person and doing voluntary writing online. I also met up with friends who were at local unis or not at uni, and saw my partner once a week.

I am considering doing another Gap Year after I graduate. I'm neurodivergent and mentally ill, and prone to academic burnout in spite of my love of learning. In the year, I would want to do part-time unqualified TA work, so I know for sure whether I want to go into teaching, a bit of work experience in school (though I'll likely do this before 2026) working my Sales Assistant job and online tutoring, as well as possibly tutoring in person and volunteering in some capacity. The only problem is, my partner will be finishing his undergraduate degree then, and doing a PGCE the same time as me, but we want to live together, just the two of us, at some point and I don't know if we can do that if so.

I think we would figure it out, but still. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

L x
Bump
Hello!

Gap years can be a great way of both relighting your love of academia and refreshing mentally. Sometimes I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to do everything all at once so taking a break can seem like a backwards step. However I think you should do whatever it is that you feel is right.

A PGCE year is a busy year, and can be quite intense with both learning and placement. You taking a year out to see if teaching is something that you definitely want to do is a really good idea as this will also give you so much more experience to lean on and as you say, be helpful in deciding if it’s definitely the route that you want to go down.

You do still have a little bit of time to decide, PGCE courses as a rule are normally the first ones to fill so I’d encourage you to get your application in after Christmas if you decide to not take a gap year. So just have a think over the Christmas Break and just remember to be kind to yourself!

I can’t help all too much with the question regarding you and your partner living together as obviously rent prices and utilities will be different depending on where you live. However I would recommend both of you sitting down and figuring out what your finances would be combined each month and then looking into places that have bills included, I know a lot of studio apartments do this and would be a great choice.

Billie
3rd Year Sociology Student
Liverpool Hope University
Original post by Liverpool Hope Student Ambassador
Hello!
Gap years can be a great way of both relighting your love of academia and refreshing mentally. Sometimes I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to do everything all at once so taking a break can seem like a backwards step. However I think you should do whatever it is that you feel is right.
A PGCE year is a busy year, and can be quite intense with both learning and placement. You taking a year out to see if teaching is something that you definitely want to do is a really good idea as this will also give you so much more experience to lean on and as you say, be helpful in deciding if it’s definitely the route that you want to go down.
You do still have a little bit of time to decide, PGCE courses as a rule are normally the first ones to fill so I’d encourage you to get your application in after Christmas if you decide to not take a gap year. So just have a think over the Christmas Break and just remember to be kind to yourself!
I can’t help all too much with the question regarding you and your partner living together as obviously rent prices and utilities will be different depending on where you live. However I would recommend both of you sitting down and figuring out what your finances would be combined each month and then looking into places that have bills included, I know a lot of studio apartments do this and would be a great choice.
Billie
3rd Year Sociology Student
Liverpool Hope University


I also forgot to mention that in terms of utility bills being included you would have to pay council tax however if your partner is going to be in university you will be eligible for a council tax reduction of 25%. Your partner would have to just fill in a form from the university.

Thanks,
Billie

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