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What They Don't Tell You About Your Gap Year: 7 Ways To Utilize It

So I could work two jobs and make $$$, or I could backpack across Iceland...

Casey Lofton

May 29, 2019

University of Virginia

469

What They Don't Tell You About Your Gap Year: 7 Ways To Utilize It

Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash

So you've decided to take a gap year before continuing your education. Now what?

I guess the reasoning influences which path you take. For instance, the gap year could be due to school burnout. Or it could be to improve your resumé before applying to grad schools. Or perhaps you just want a taste of the "real world."

1. Travel

Photo by Mesut Kaya on Unsplash

This one is particularly an option for those who just need a break. Visit a new state or a new country. Visit your best friend. Travel solo or go with a group of pals. See the world and realize how much adventure and beauty there is around you.

2. Get a random job

Photo by Daryan Shamkhali on Unsplash

Be a barista. Be a hostess or concierge. Be a babysitter. Work at Barnes and Noble or Anthropologie. Do a random job that is on your bucket list or something that pertains to a hobby of yours. It may be silly, but a gap year is temporary. Why not add a fun job to your resumé.

3. Get a job that pertains to a future career

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Or maybe you want to be more practical and start working in your particular field of interest. This is useful in allowing yourself to be immersed in the ins and out of the career to see if you actually want to pursue it.

4. Volunteer

Photo by Roman Synkevych on Unsplash

Now that you don't have school, go out and volunteer in the community. Help out with something you are passionate about. Helping others is not only beneficial to them, it helps you, too.

5. Figure out how to budget

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

This, you may already do, but now that you aren't in high school/college, your expenses will differ. Food, gas, rent, and other living expenses will change, along with income. Figure out how to live on a budget while also adding some to your savings, too.

6. Research schools

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Yeah, you are taking a year off from school, but you can't escape it completely. Look into different schools with your desired programs, comparing locations, costs, classes, application requirements, and more.

7. Build connections

Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

You'll probably need letters of recommendations for future schools. Contact people and build meaningful connections with them, wherever it comes from. Stay in contact with old professors that know your work ethic or former employers. Make sure you keep up with new employers, volunteer overseers, and others, too, during this year so that when you need those recs, you won't be grasping at straws.

This next year is whatever you choose to make it. Don't feel guilty or pressured to do it how everyone else is. You got this!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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What They Don't Tell You About Your Gap Year: 7 Ways To Utilize It

So I could work two jobs and make $$$, or I could backpack across Iceland...

1. Travel

2. Get a random job

3. Get a job that pertains to a future career

4. Volunteer

5. Figure out how to budget

6. Research schools

7. Build connections

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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