Why Take a Gap Year? - Share your own experiences!
On my journey to Liverpool Hope University, I took a gap year, it was doing this that made me realise that it was the right choice for me.
Why take a gap year though? Isn't that just prolonging the time before graduation, before you can get your dream job??
While yes, taking a gap year does make your graduation date come later, it might give you the time to reset and relax after being in education most of your lives. It's good to take a step back to really consider your options - The course? The university? Study abroad? Move away from home? Stay at home? Or even if university is right for you at the moment in time - I considered getting a full-time job or apprenticeship in my gap year too!
Although, I did settle on university and never looked back, and I'm still here doing my Master's degree. And I wouldn't have been able to get where I am now if it wasn't for a gap year I took for my own wellbeing and betterment.
What it comes down to - is setting your own personal boundaries and knowing what is right for you and when, and being sure you are making the choice that is right for you, and not somebody else.
Share your own gap year/study break stories if you have any - who knows who it might help!
Best wishes for the future to you all,
Harry
Liverpool Hope University Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
Why take a gap year though? Isn't that just prolonging the time before graduation, before you can get your dream job??
While yes, taking a gap year does make your graduation date come later, it might give you the time to reset and relax after being in education most of your lives. It's good to take a step back to really consider your options - The course? The university? Study abroad? Move away from home? Stay at home? Or even if university is right for you at the moment in time - I considered getting a full-time job or apprenticeship in my gap year too!
Although, I did settle on university and never looked back, and I'm still here doing my Master's degree. And I wouldn't have been able to get where I am now if it wasn't for a gap year I took for my own wellbeing and betterment.
What it comes down to - is setting your own personal boundaries and knowing what is right for you and when, and being sure you are making the choice that is right for you, and not somebody else.
Share your own gap year/study break stories if you have any - who knows who it might help!
Best wishes for the future to you all,
Harry
Liverpool Hope University Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
Reply 1
I'm transgender, and I'm thinking of doing a gap year in order to transition and become more independent - start driving lessons, get on my own feet financially, get a part-time job, etc.
Reply 2
Original post by EdwinDeRozarieux
I'm transgender, and I'm thinking of doing a gap year in order to transition and become more independent - start driving lessons, get on my own feet financially, get a part-time job, etc.
That is a wonderful use of a gap year for sure, and something that is amazing to do for your wellbeing, independence and very forward thinking - I hope it all goes well and sending all my best wishes
Harry
LHU Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
Reply 3
my current year 12 predicted grades for uni applications arent great and I'm planning to restart year 12/ lock in and get good grades in Year 13 and take a gap year after Y13 to reapply using those grades
In the gap year I might look for work experience or do wider reading to strengthen my application
maybee....🤔🤔
idk I'm very confused and stressed cuz the whole y12 years flown soo fast and i havent locked in enough thoughout the past year😰
In the gap year I might look for work experience or do wider reading to strengthen my application
maybee....🤔🤔
idk I'm very confused and stressed cuz the whole y12 years flown soo fast and i havent locked in enough thoughout the past year😰
Reply 4
Original post by Jollybeansss
my current year 12 predicted grades for uni applications arent great and I'm planning to restart year 12/ lock in and get good grades in Year 13 and take a gap year after Y13 to reapply using those grades
In the gap year I might look for work experience or do wider reading to strengthen my application
maybee....🤔🤔
idk I'm very confused and stressed cuz the whole y12 years flown soo fast and i havent locked in enough thoughout the past year😰
In the gap year I might look for work experience or do wider reading to strengthen my application
maybee....🤔🤔
idk I'm very confused and stressed cuz the whole y12 years flown soo fast and i havent locked in enough thoughout the past year😰
Hey there,
I know things may feel as though they are going very fast right now - I've been there for sure - but just focus on finishing this academic year as best you can now. There is still time to really turn things around even in year 12!
Then weigh up the options between redoing year 12 if possible or just going on ahead as best you can in year 13. Your best is good enough regardless - you have the time, options and flexibility of a gap year after year 13 if you need for your own wellbeing to consider your options, get work experience, prepare and do what is right for you!
You're in a very stressful time of your life, and been in education all of your life - it is perfectly normal to feel the way you do, burnout is a real thing and it is really positive that you're acknowledging it early on.
Keep up the good stuff!
Harry
LHU Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
Reply 5
I'm neurodivergent and know that university isn't the best choice for me, so I think I might take a gap year to try and focus on some hobbies like making jewellery, baking or doing nails! I also want to go travelling at some point. My academic grades aren't the best but I know I'm good at the creative stuff, and I want to be an actor!
Reply 6
Original post by toiresekarayel
I'm neurodivergent and know that university isn't the best choice for me, so I think I might take a gap year to try and focus on some hobbies like making jewellery, baking or doing nails! I also want to go travelling at some point. My academic grades aren't the best but I know I'm good at the creative stuff, and I want to be an actor!
A gap year definitely sounds like it would help! Hobbies and travelling are some of the best ways to spend a gap year - where would you have in mind?
Creativity and acting is something many people I know thrive in - I used to do Performing Arts myself! It's amazing you know what you like and where you thrive!
You might be surprised (in a good way) how university could help you grow in a safe environment, it certainly helped me, but of course it's something to consider and not the be all and end all - always do what you know is best for you while keeping your options open and flexible
All the best wishes!
Harry
LHU Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
I took a gap year because I essentially had no choice. My husband (fiance at the time) quit his job a few months before I was due to start uni (he was being bullied horribly by some senior staff and he couldn't take it any more), so as we lived together and needed money to pay the bills I had to pick up the pieces and get a full time job myself until he found another one.
So I contacted the uni, explained the situation, and they deferred my entry by a year.
I worked full time in a commercial estate agents during that year, specialising in the fried fish industry (an estate agent for fish and chip shops, basically). That was when I was 19-20.
I then stayed on there working part-time during my first year of uni as well.
My daughter (19) is on a gap year right now but hers is by choice. She doesn't want to work whilst she's at uni, so she's working part-time now (Greggs) and saving up money to live on during her time at uni.
So I contacted the uni, explained the situation, and they deferred my entry by a year.
I worked full time in a commercial estate agents during that year, specialising in the fried fish industry (an estate agent for fish and chip shops, basically). That was when I was 19-20.
I then stayed on there working part-time during my first year of uni as well.
My daughter (19) is on a gap year right now but hers is by choice. She doesn't want to work whilst she's at uni, so she's working part-time now (Greggs) and saving up money to live on during her time at uni.
(edited 2 weeks ago)
Reply 8
Original post by PinkMobilePhone
I took a gap year because I essentially had no choice. My husband (fiance at the time) quit his job a few months before I was due to start uni (he was being bullied horribly by some senior staff and he couldn't take it any more), so as we lived together and needed money to pay the bills I had to pick up the pieces and get a full time job myself until he found another one.
So I contacted the uni, explained the situation, and they deferred my entry by a year.
I worked full time in a commercial estate agents during that year, specialising in the fried fish industry (an estate agent for fish and chip shops, basically). That was when I was 19-20.
I then stayed on there working part-time during my first year of uni as well.
My daughter (19) is on a gap year right now but hers is by choice. She doesn't want to work whilst she's at uni, so she's working part-time now (Greggs) and saving up money to live on during her time at uni.
So I contacted the uni, explained the situation, and they deferred my entry by a year.
I worked full time in a commercial estate agents during that year, specialising in the fried fish industry (an estate agent for fish and chip shops, basically). That was when I was 19-20.
I then stayed on there working part-time during my first year of uni as well.
My daughter (19) is on a gap year right now but hers is by choice. She doesn't want to work whilst she's at uni, so she's working part-time now (Greggs) and saving up money to live on during her time at uni.
Hey there,
Thank you for sharing your experiences, I'm happy to hear you and your family have got through it all, prioritising all of your needs - it is amazing to hear, and inspiring.
I wish the best to your daughter in her gap year and then on to university! Working to save the money up for university is honestly such a good idea - working and studying can be really demanding ahaha! What is she going into university to study?
Personally, while I do like to and really enjoy my work, sometimes I wish I'd have that extra bit of time to really focus on my degree fully!!
All the best wishes for you and your family,
Harry
LHU Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
Original post by Harry LHU
Hey there,
Thank you for sharing your experiences, I'm happy to hear you and your family have got through it all, prioritising all of your needs - it is amazing to hear, and inspiring.
I wish the best to your daughter in her gap year and then on to university! Working to save the money up for university is honestly such a good idea - working and studying can be really demanding ahaha! What is she going into university to study?
Personally, while I do like to and really enjoy my work, sometimes I wish I'd have that extra bit of time to really focus on my degree fully!!
All the best wishes for you and your family,
Harry
LHU Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
Thank you for sharing your experiences, I'm happy to hear you and your family have got through it all, prioritising all of your needs - it is amazing to hear, and inspiring.
I wish the best to your daughter in her gap year and then on to university! Working to save the money up for university is honestly such a good idea - working and studying can be really demanding ahaha! What is she going into university to study?
Personally, while I do like to and really enjoy my work, sometimes I wish I'd have that extra bit of time to really focus on my degree fully!!
All the best wishes for you and your family,
Harry
LHU Student Ambassador
MA Politics and International Relations
Thank you.
She's going to study 3D Game Art, same as her dad.
Actually my hubby is an Associate Lecturer on that course now (at the same uni) although he teaches the online students whereas she'll be studying on campus.
It does mean she already knows some of her lecturers though as she's met them through her dad on social occasions.
Reply 10
Original post by PinkMobilePhone
Thank you.
She's going to study 3D Game Art, same as her dad.
Actually my hubby is an Associate Lecturer on that course now (at the same uni) although he teaches the online students whereas she'll be studying on campus.
It does mean she already knows some of her lecturers though as she's met them through her dad on social occasions.
She's going to study 3D Game Art, same as her dad.
Actually my hubby is an Associate Lecturer on that course now (at the same uni) although he teaches the online students whereas she'll be studying on campus.
It does mean she already knows some of her lecturers though as she's met them through her dad on social occasions.
That's great! It sounds like a comfortable environment to start university in!
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Gap Years - Talk to one of our reps: How a gap year impacted their career/future.
- Gap year adivice!
- Gap year - work experience
- OCD At University
- Student loans: haram?halal?
- Can I find a job after warwick law
- Gap year for Dentistry BDS
- Should i take a gap year?
- Medicine vs Dentistry HELP
- A*A*A* predicted (Maths, Further Maths & Computing) - Rejected by all universities
- what do you do after finishing university?
- Daughter about to start Uni, now thinking she's not ready and maybe skipping a year!
- 22 started university and im very anxious..
- University Advice
- Gap year or a different course?
- veterinary physiotherapy thread for 2024
- should i take a gap year?
- lnat
- Dentistry applicabt rejected, gap year or study international?
- What's Your Biggest Worry About Taking a Gap Year?
Latest
Trending
