10 Reasons Why You Should Take a Gap Year

Whether you’re in 6th form and beginning to think about your personal statement or you’re just generally thinking about what the future holds for you, there are a lot of questions you might be asking yourself. Is uni for me? What should I study? Should I travel first? Where should I travel to? The list is endless, right? (there's another question!) But don’t worry, we’ve all been there and we’re here to help you! Here are 10 reasons why taking a gap year is a great idea!

1. You’ll perform better at university

Students might worry that universities will think less of them for taking a gap year. This is far from the truth; many universities report that students are more willing to work hard and get more involved on campus after taking a gap year.

2. You’ll have time to realise what you want to do before you start studying

You would be surprised at how many people change their course throughout the term. It’s so difficult to know exactly what you want to study at University when you’ve only really studied a handful of subjects at school. By taking a gap year, you’re giving yourself time to really think about what you’d like to study whilst cutting down on coursework, tuition fees and stress too.

3. You’ll get to go on an adventure at the prime time

When else are you going to be 18 years old with no job, no mortgage to pay, no kids, no homework and no worries? Never! This is a great time to go and explore the world!

4. You’ll learn to appreciate the smaller things in life

Yes your phone, makeup, new shoes are all great and make you feel good (or so you think) but it’s not until you go away and meet people from all walks of life that you appreciate simple things like having hot water, getting a good education and even the luxury of freshly washed clothes (yep really!).

5. You’ll have something to talk about

Awkward conversations will be a thing of the past after you travel. During fresher’s week, you can skip the whole “where are you from?” and “what course are you on?” small talk and start a conversation you’re actually interested in. You’ll have the most recent travel advice and 9 times out of 10 someone else will have been to the exact same place as you – it’s such a small world!

6. Your CV will definitely stand out

To be able to put your invaluable experiences down on paper and relate them to the skills required for that particular job will impress your employers massively.  Don’t underestimate how much you’ll learn on a gap year and definitely don’t forget to talk about it in your CV and personal statements.

7. You’ll pick up the pieces you missed in high school

Forgotten most of the Spanish you learnt? Head over to Costa Rica and pick up on useful phrases. Worried your writing skills will weaken? Write a blog during your travels. A gap year is a time to refine the specific skills you feel like you’re lacking and sharpen them up for university.

8. You’ll have time to think

A levels are stressful and everything feels like it’s going 100mph, and at uni, it only gets faster. You need time to breathe and recover and now’s the best time. Listening to your body is so important and having that time to think about the next chapter of your life is invaluable.

9. You’ll make friends for life

An enormous amount of like-minded people of the same age will be doing exactly the same as you. What’s more amazing is that you‘ll be in a brand new country, making brand new memories and these things will bind you together for the rest of your life. None of your friends from home will know what you mean by Bob’s hilarious waterfall slide attempt but that’s okay!

10. You’ll become more independent than most of your peers

Nothing quite teaches you independence like finding your way around a brand new country without any English signposts. This is all character building stuff and by the time you get to uni, finding your way around the campus will seem like a piece of cake in comparison.

And if you're not at school but want to take a gap year, don't worry, all the same things apply in job-life too! 

Is your head clearer now? Head over to our website for tonnes of trip inspiration, chat to our team live for any questions you have or call us on 01892 527392 :)

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER!