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Not really ready to tackle university, some other form of tertiary training or work ? Not really sure what you want to do ? Just want to take a break ?
None of these are bad in themselves and you should consider what options are available.
If you are considering taking time off before commencing tertiary study, additional study or employment, consider the following before making a final decision.
Some universities, both here and overseas now give assistance with Gap Years. For example, check the information about Gap Year Plus at the University of Canberra and see what is being done at Princeton, in the US, with their Interim Programs which include Gap Year options. As well as the podcast and article, check the Students & Grads section of the site.
Be sure you understand what you are going to do, how you are going to live and whether there are any restrictions you need to know about. Ensure you know all the implications available now and consider whether any others are being talked about and could affect you in the future. For example, there were implications for people taking a Gap Year when the government made changes which might have affected the level of funding they could apply for when they returned to study. While this was clarified and solved, it did cause much heartache at the time.
Look at how you are going to live and what you are going to do. How will you fund the time you take ? Are you going to stay in one place or travel ? Where are you going to live ? Are you going to do this on your own or will there be a group of you ? If things don’t work out as planned, what will you do ? What is your back-up plan ? Do you have a back-up plan ?
These are just a few of the initial questions you need to ask yourself. If you can’t provide suitable answers, do not take time off but look for another alternative.
Another very important decision is what to do if you have been made a placement offer, or offer of employment. Can you gain a deferral ? If you can, what do you have to do ? What steps do you have to take ? When do you have to do it by ? If it is employment, can it be deferred or is the opportunity gone forever ? How will you find out ? Is either option worth the risk ? Is it better to take up the offer now and have a break when initial study is complete or you are established in your employment ? Think carefully before deciding. It could have significant consequences.
Don’t just look at spending time laying on a beach somewhere, desirable as this might seem. If you decide some time out would be beneficial, then consider your future, the area you want to work in and, if possible, find employment in that area or one related to it, even if not at the level you desire. All experience counts and it will provide an opportunity to discover if it is what you really want to do.
There are other options you might wish to consider.
- One possible option is an ADF Gap Year. Visit the site to see what is involved.
- Other options include volunteering. You can find more information about these options on the Volunteering page.
- Working Holidays is another possible option. This group offers ‘hundreds of ideas for gap years and overseas travel in over 30 countries around the world, including volunteer work, working holidays, teaching English, learning languages or sports and adventure travel’. You should be able to find something suitable in one of these offerings.
If the work you do get is not linked to your field of interest - barman, waitress, fruit picker … , [and there is nothing wrong with any of these !] it may not help you become a great vet for example. Consider part-time or personal study related to your area of interest or develop additional skills, e.g. organisational, leadership, … . It doesn’t have to be onerous but still maintains a link.
It doesn’t matter whether experience is at home or overseas, it’s the experience that is valuable - though there are some obvious pluses to working overseas.
Keep a record of what you have done, even if not directly related to your planned future, and get references from employers [possibly for inclusion as part of a later résumé !].
Use each activity to start networking and making contacts, wherever possible, in your chosen field. This is essential nowadays and could pay dividends in the future.
Keep up with news about the area you are interested in - use newspapers, news outlets, journals, the internet, people you know, university information & requirements, fairs, etc.. Ongoing knowledge of events and changes are always of value.
Make use of the time to be sure that what you originally wanted to do remains the same.
A surprising number of people find these experiences reveal something else to be more desirable and rewarding. It can change the direction of your studies and future life.
When you are ready to return you should feel you have :
- enjoyed your time off. After all, this was one of the major reasons wasn’t it ?
- gained benefits through experiences, contacts and increased maturity;
- developed skills that will help maximise results you gain in future study or employment;
- reached a point where you are ready to go and successfully take on any course or work you encounter !
A warning though ! You must be in control of the length of time you take and the experiences you have. Don’t let either take control of you.
Review where you are at during the time off period and see whether you want to change anything. This can be done simply and easily without ruining or overwhelming good experiences.
This way, you get experience, pleasure, benefits and a new found readiness rather than just going from Date A to Date B, and finding yourself at Date B no wiser, no better off and behind everyone else.
Don’t let the gap between Date A and Date B get too big. Taking too much time can be as bad as not taking enough. Your knowledge of what you want should indicate the time scale required. See the warning above and then work out how [and if !] you are going to be able to catch up to others if you take this time.
Finally, if this is what you decide to do - take every step to ensure you enjoy it and make sure it is stress free as you move toward your future plans.
