No matter what the reason may be, you're taking a gap year. If you're anything like me, it's because you've hit a wall of financial trouble and just cannot balance all of the weights that were piling onto your shoulders, while some of my friends took gap years to travel or to find themselves. Regardless of the why behind the decision, you are taking a year off from school and you may be feeling several different ways about it; it's possible you've become a little embarrassed when family friends or peers ask what your future plans are, you might be struggling to come to terms with what you're actually doing with the next 365 days, and you may also be feeling a little down about yourself. These are all feelings I've experienced, but I'm here to tell you that it's OK.
So, like in every negative situation, one must look at the bright side. Since I went the route of taking a year off, I've gotten pretty good at figuring out why it's alright to do so. Looking back to a few months ago, nearing the end of my senior year, I was running out of fuel and I know many of my classmates were too (to be honest, I think we all were). So, with very little motivation left in your system, how do you begin four years of college? Without the desire to do school work, there is no way anyone could keep up. Sure, high school was kind of hard, but college is a whole different ball game, one in which you have to study and do homework almost 24/7. I don't think I could've applied myself the way I want to for my degree if I'd gone to school this fall, and there's a chance you might not have done as well as you'd hoped, too.
Another thing I've looked at as a positive is that I get to put the rest of my life together while secondary schooling sits on pause a moment. Currently, I am without a car, my phone is falling apart (literally), and I'm trying to move out of the house. If I were to go to school, I would work hardly any hours, make hardly any money, and would in no way be able to afford the things I need. If you're in a similar situation, just keep in mind that this year off gives you the opportunity to acquire a full-time job to gather all the things you need and also gives you the chance to gain work experience, which would look really good on that next college app. You can truly put your life together before taking that huge step towards your future.
Of course, there's just the fact that you have a year of no commitment. You don't have to be to class at a certain time, you can work at a place where you make your own schedule and sleep in late every day. You don't have to spend your hours cramming for a test, so you can go out in the evening and do whatever you like with what’s left of your day. You'll be well-rested and in a good mood each morning, you'll have money for the things you need, and you can start saving money for the things you will need one day.
Yes, you are taking a year off, but you shouldn't let that get you down and it should never affect the way others perceive you. What you're doing is what's best for you, whether that be financially or mentally or just for the sake of your future career. So, the next time you tell someone you're taking a gap year, say it proudly and with a smile, let them know how much it will benefit you and your future, and don't you dare regret what you're doing.
