Gap year OR Education
Just really lost
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
Reply 1
This is a tough choice and unfortunately no one but you can make it.
(The rest of the post is Uni specific, but i think it can apply to other forms of education as well)
Best anyone can do is share their experiences. So I will
I got my Alevel results, and I didn't meet the grade requirements for any of my chosen uni's. I ended up getting into Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University through clearance, but I always wanted to study Computer Science at university. I have absolutely no interest in Acc&Fin, but I stuck with it for a full year. I didn't pass a single mid term exam and I didn't even attempt the end of year exams before switching to Computer Science (still Lancs).
The year I spent doing Acc&Fin was probably one of the worst experiences I had, not because there were bad people or because I didn't like the location but because I kept failing (shocker! this is really bad for self worth and esteem :/ ) and I was studying a subject I had zero interest in (apart from trying to pass).
You might not have the same, specific problem as me, but what I'm trying to get across to you, is that you shouldn't make any hasty choices, talk to as many people as you can to "gather information".
And even if you do decide on something, you can always change your mind AND you don't have to wait a year to do it. Although, it might be easier to go to uni and then drop out after a term, rather than choosing a gap year and then wanting a year to go to uni. But even if you choose a gap year, there are other ways to progress your academic career, I think openUniversity is still a thing? and if not, there are other online resources, maybe you want to get some career relevant certificates, help boost your CV or application. Or go traveling and build life experience.
Hope this gives you something new to consider.
Zuzanna (Lancaster University Ambassador)
(The rest of the post is Uni specific, but i think it can apply to other forms of education as well)
Best anyone can do is share their experiences. So I will
I got my Alevel results, and I didn't meet the grade requirements for any of my chosen uni's. I ended up getting into Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University through clearance, but I always wanted to study Computer Science at university. I have absolutely no interest in Acc&Fin, but I stuck with it for a full year. I didn't pass a single mid term exam and I didn't even attempt the end of year exams before switching to Computer Science (still Lancs).The year I spent doing Acc&Fin was probably one of the worst experiences I had, not because there were bad people or because I didn't like the location but because I kept failing (shocker! this is really bad for self worth and esteem :/ ) and I was studying a subject I had zero interest in (apart from trying to pass).
You might not have the same, specific problem as me, but what I'm trying to get across to you, is that you shouldn't make any hasty choices, talk to as many people as you can to "gather information".
And even if you do decide on something, you can always change your mind
AND you don't have to wait a year to do it. Although, it might be easier to go to uni and then drop out after a term, rather than choosing a gap year and then wanting a year to go to uni. But even if you choose a gap year, there are other ways to progress your academic career, I think openUniversity is still a thing? and if not, there are other online resources, maybe you want to get some career relevant certificates, help boost your CV or application. Or go traveling and build life experience.Hope this gives you something new to consider.
Zuzanna (Lancaster University Ambassador)
Reply 2
Original post
by AvrorickJust really lost
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
Hi @Avrorick
I did a gap year between school and university. This was a bit of a last minute decision because I decided that I did not want to do the course I had applied for but was not exactly sure what I wanted to do instead.
During my gap year I worked, travelled and went to an American Summer Camp. This gave me a wide range of life experiences and helped me to develop my independence. It also supported me in deciding what course I wanted to study, rather than starting a course whilst I was still unsure.
Ultimately, it is a very personal decision for you to make about which option you think will support your future. One thing that is important to remember, is that there is nothing wrong with taking a gap year, despite it potentially feeling like you are a year behind.
Hope this helps!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.
Reply 3
Original post
by AvrorickJust really lost
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
I can totally understand feeling lost, it’s a big decision, and there really isn’t a single “right” answer. I actually took a gap year myself, between my first and second year at uni.
For me, it was necessary because I had been burning the candle at both ends. I’d gone straight to university after an intense year at college, where I essentially did two years’ worth of work in one. By the end of my first year, I needed a break, both mentally and physically. Some personal circumstances in my second semester acted as the final push to take a step back.
During my gap year, I was able to explore options in my chosen career field, do paid work and volunteer experience, and just take things on my own terms. I didn’t travel far, but I got a lot out of the independence, flexibility, and focus it gave me. I know a lot of people use their gap year to travel, which is amazing too, it’s really up to what you want to get from it.
The key thing to remember is that gap years are very individual. Some people thrive by going straight into education, some benefit from a break to recharge, explore, or gain experience. There isn’t a wrong choice here, just what aligns with your personal circumstances, goals, and what you need at this moment.
Whatever you decide, make sure it feels right for you, not just what others do or expect.
-Chloe
Reply 4
Original post
by AvrorickJust really lost
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
Don’t really know which one to choose
They both have their pros and cons , and sometimes one is better than the other( help
Hi there!
This is a tricky situation and I was in the same boat as you when I was in year 12 and 13. I decided in the end to take a gap year which turned into two and it was the best decision for me as I felt like I had had a good break and was ready to go back to education and go to uni. I know this is different for everyone so here are some things I would consider:
•
How much do you actually want to do your course. Are you just doing it to go to uni, or is it something you know you love and want to do. This was my dilemma and ultimately the reason I decided to have a gap year and in that time I changed my mind on wha I wanted to study so for me it was very worth it! However if you know you want to do it and you love it, this isn't really as big of a factor in the decision.
•
Do you feel ready to go to uni? If you don't that is completely fine and you will be so much better off just doing what you actually feel ready for, rather than doing what you think you should be doing. If you are not ready to go just take some time to do something else and then you will thrive when you do decide to go (if you do).
•
Are you ready to learn and start a new course - I felt so exhausted after A Levels that I was ready for a break and I returned to education actually excited and ready to learn which was os much better than going when I wasn't ready and potentially not doing as well.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂
Reply 5
Avrorick
OP
3
Original post
by BCU Student RepHi @Avrorick
I did a gap year between school and university. This was a bit of a last minute decision because I decided that I did not want to do the course I had applied for but was not exactly sure what I wanted to do instead.
During my gap year I worked, travelled and went to an American Summer Camp. This gave me a wide range of life experiences and helped me to develop my independence. It also supported me in deciding what course I wanted to study, rather than starting a course whilst I was still unsure.
Ultimately, it is a very personal decision for you to make about which option you think will support your future. One thing that is important to remember, is that there is nothing wrong with taking a gap year, despite it potentially feeling like you are a year behind.
Hope this helps!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.
I did a gap year between school and university. This was a bit of a last minute decision because I decided that I did not want to do the course I had applied for but was not exactly sure what I wanted to do instead.
During my gap year I worked, travelled and went to an American Summer Camp. This gave me a wide range of life experiences and helped me to develop my independence. It also supported me in deciding what course I wanted to study, rather than starting a course whilst I was still unsure.
Ultimately, it is a very personal decision for you to make about which option you think will support your future. One thing that is important to remember, is that there is nothing wrong with taking a gap year, despite it potentially feeling like you are a year behind.
Hope this helps!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.
I’m in this situation right now . I’ve applied for a course and got an offer and I have 15 days left to accept or decline it. But then I discovered another course which is more to my liking. But the thing is that they probably won’t get back to me with an offer in 15 days ( the time I should make up my decision with the other course)
I’m really scared to not accept that other offer cause what if I won’t get an offer from that 2nd course.
Reply 6
Avrorick
OP
3
Original post
by BCU Student RepHi @Avrorick
I did a gap year between school and university. This was a bit of a last minute decision because I decided that I did not want to do the course I had applied for but was not exactly sure what I wanted to do instead.
During my gap year I worked, travelled and went to an American Summer Camp. This gave me a wide range of life experiences and helped me to develop my independence. It also supported me in deciding what course I wanted to study, rather than starting a course whilst I was still unsure.
Ultimately, it is a very personal decision for you to make about which option you think will support your future. One thing that is important to remember, is that there is nothing wrong with taking a gap year, despite it potentially feeling like you are a year behind.
Hope this helps!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.
I did a gap year between school and university. This was a bit of a last minute decision because I decided that I did not want to do the course I had applied for but was not exactly sure what I wanted to do instead.
During my gap year I worked, travelled and went to an American Summer Camp. This gave me a wide range of life experiences and helped me to develop my independence. It also supported me in deciding what course I wanted to study, rather than starting a course whilst I was still unsure.
Ultimately, it is a very personal decision for you to make about which option you think will support your future. One thing that is important to remember, is that there is nothing wrong with taking a gap year, despite it potentially feeling like you are a year behind.
Hope this helps!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.
Thank you!
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