Idealism to Realism: Top 5 Tips Before Entering Your Gap Year
The Washington Post recently reported an article titled, “Want to help kids succeed in college? Let them take a gap year”. Click here for the full article.
To be or not to be?
Although there are countless benefits to pursuing a gap year at any point in a student’s education, I strongly suggest that you ask yourself, “To be a “Gapper” or not to be a Gapper”? -That is the question. Gap Years are simply year(s) off from your educational or work experiences. They seem to have become a new trend for us young adults. The Washington Post article suggests it is a chance for “Millennials” to gain real world experience while discovering true passions and purpose for our future. The American Gap Association reports that the interest and enrollment in gap years continues to increase. Nonetheless, let us unveil the reasoning behind the increase of students wanting to pursue this new trend…
When I graduated from Seton Hall University on May 19th, 2014, like most of my colleagues, I was filled with mixed emotions. The overwhelming feeling of happiness and accomplishment was in the air. I was proud. Rightfully so…I mean college had not been an easy task for me. I struggled as a freshman barely scraping the surface of a 3.0 GPA, which was extremely unheard of in my high school days.
If I had known then what I know now, maybe I would have considered a gap year after graduating from high school. At any rate, after numerous talks with school advisors and my biggest advisor my mother, I changed my major from Diplomacy to Social Work. From there, I wouldn’t say my college career was peaches and roses, but I did have much more success. However, even after the change of major, by my senior year, I was exhausted. I no longer had enthusiasm for the things I was learning and was even questioning my career goals. With that in mind, I knew continuing on to graduate school right away wasn’t an option for me.
(Source: Pintrest)
Let the Gap Year Adventure Begin!
For the first time in my life, I had no set plans. After graduation, I was completely free from all responsibilities besides eating, sleeping and showering. I decided to take a leap of faith and see where life took me. But, it didn’t take long for me to begin feeling restless. After two months, I decided to start looking into jobs more seriously.
I remember hearing about and seeing the organization City Year (cityyear.org) frequently, so I decided to do my own research. City Year is an AmeriCorps (nationalservice.org) and an educational non-profit organization that works to reduce the drop out crisis that exists within low-income neighborhoods. Its mission is very broad and idealistic. The organization brands itself as idealistic and seeks to recruit peaked idealists who are seeking to make huge changes in this world.
Reality Check
So the idealist in me saw this as a lovely opportunity to not only find work to keep me busy and paid (scarcely, I might add), but to pursue a chance to mentor youth and give back to my community; something that has been my life’s practice. So I saw City Year as an incredible opportunity for me to get experience while also taking some time to figure out my next steps. Little did I know that City Year would indeed not serve as a “Gap Year” or “Year Off” but definitely a “Filled Year” or “Year ON” a year that would prove to be my hardest yet in my 22 years of life. Although I knew that City Year would be tough, I was not expecting that it would take over my life in unexpected ways with unexpected challenges.
This is where idealism quickly turned into realism. Don’t get me wrong; City Year is a great organization with a powerful mission. However, there are factors that can make your Gap Year wonderful or miserable. With that said, if you are ever considering a Gap Year here are some valuable tips…
Tip # 1: Want To Do A Gap Year Program? Do Your Research
Doing research on your program of choice is invaluable. Going beyond what is provided on the website is highly recommended. Think, Do you want to travel? Do you want to work hands on? Are you focused on community service? Talk to people who have been in the program before, get deeper insight of your day- to -day schedule and see if it’s the right fit for you. Since there are a SO many programs out there, it is also important that you choose one that works for you, your personality, work ethic and interests. I know I would have benefitted greatly if I had done further research on City Year DC to get a more transparent view of day-to-day activities, the intensity level, and potential challenges that could arise.
Tip # 2: Have A Plan-And Stick To It
Although I knew that I was not ready for graduate school immediately after college, I did know that I wanted to take only one year working before I returned to my studies. By knowing this, I was that more determined to get in my application timely and wait for acceptance. The limbo stage of not knowing what’s next can cause added stress, the main thing most are trying to avoid.
Fellow City Year Team Member says, “Remember that it’s only a year, and a year seems like a long time, but it flies by! Even during your gap year always be planning for the next step.”
Another team member says, “ Stay strong in your conviction to return to your plan after the gap year. Refreshed in commitment. “
Whether you deferred your college acceptance, plan to work or go to school, always remember to think ahead! If you fail to plan then you plan to fail!
Tip # 3: Examine Where You Are in Life
Fellow OMHS alum, Alexis Adams and rising senior at American University, decided to take a gap year after graduating high school in 2011 to travel abroad to Senegal. She cites that,
“I just needed a break to find myself. School pushes you so hard to only care about college, grades, and resume… you do things because it looks good or sounds good, never because you are passionate about it or actually care. “I also really wanted to do something that was bigger than myself… I wanted to serve and contribute to something that is bigger than myself. … I saw it as an opportunity for personal growth, but also to make a difference.”
Find that program here: http://globalcitizenyear.org/
I find that most people take Gap Years when they feel stuck or are unsure of their next steps or path in life. So, my advice is to think to yourself if this would help you to gain more focus, clarity and purpose for your future and go from there.
Tip # 4: Think About the Pros and Cons
There are always going to be both pros and cons for almost any decision we make in our lives. Even though my Gap Year came with many challenges, it did allow me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and tackle some areas in which I knew needed improvement. Not to mention this phase of my life journey provided me with some insights of what the “real world” can be. For example, I have built a great community to network with as a City Year Alum and also friends that will last for years to come.
As a side note, I also did get a chance to be invited to the White House for AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary. It was an honor to hear President Obama and former President Clinton speak about the impact MY service (OUR service) would have first hand on the students we were sacrificing to serve. (BTW, I also got a once in a lifetime opportunity to shake President Obama’s hand!) Those moments along with the everyday dealings with my 2nd and 5th graders,-those little rascals, truly did make the experience all worth it.
Letters from my 2nd and 5th grade classes!
Tip #5: Go with your Gut
Finally, just go with your gut feelings about your decision to take a gap year. I applied to City Year in late July, which was the absolute last chance to get a position. Next thing I knew, in the first week of August, I was called for an interview and received the job on the spot! At the time, I had no other options, but I didn’t need any others because I knew it was the right decision for me. Going with the flow of life at times can be scary, but the rewards could end up being more than you ever thought or imagined.
(source: Pintrest)