Studying at uni? Have due deadlines got to you? If so, you might be considering taking a gap year during your studies. Having a year off is a rite of passage nowadays- but is really taking a gap year during university the best thing for your studies and future career? Like everything, taking a gap year has its pros and cons and therefore deciding if you should take one, and when, can be a tough decision. So, if you’re not sure what to do, we’re here to help!
These are the pros and cons of taking a gap year during university.
Cons
You might not finish your degree
Say you’ve done two years of your three-year degree and have started to feel pretty worn out. Taking a year off might seem like the ideal way to reset your clock. On the other hand, it can mean that you lose all the motivation you to finish your degree. If you’re in this situation, then you should look at the bigger picture. Can you stick with university for just one more year and reward yourself with some time off at the end? Or is your mental health and motivation already starting to crumble so much that it would turn out to be a waste of time and money for you to go straight into your third year at this point?
Parental pressure
Chances are by taking a year out of university may not go down well with friends and family. Be prepared to argue your case and specify that you are not dropping out; but just taking a break.
You might fall behind your friends
The social aspect is one of the biggest drawbacks when deciding whether you want to take a gap year during university. You’ve probably been with the same group of people from your first and second year but if you decide to defer, then the chances are that they would have graduated by the time you begin your third year. On the upside, you’ll get the chance to meet new people. However, you may be left with severe FOMO while you’re away on your travels.
Lots of Admin
Deferring a year at university brings a lot of admins to sort out. You’ll need to contact your university, Student Finance and sort out you’re housing. Likewise, if you are an international student, you will need to speak to Student Support at your university to discuss what options are best as this may affect your visa.
Pros
You’ll be able to destress
If university may have left you at your breaking point, then taking a year out might give just what you need to reset. Whether you’re itching to travel, relax back home, or just get a part-time job, having a year out of academia could do wonders That way, you’ll come back into your third year ready to go and ace that degree.
You could save money for university
Perhaps you’ve been scraping by with Student Finance for the last couple of years? Well, a year out can give you the time you need to save up for your third year. You may choose to move back home and save on rent or simply take the year to work. Either way, managing to put some money aside would alleviate the pressure of third year so you wouldn’t have to juggle a part-time job with writing your dissertation.
You can develop new skills and improve your CV
Contrary to the popular belief, a gap year can be a great way to develop new skills and improve your CV. You could do a wide range of things from undergoing work experience or an internship, doing online courses and even studying or working abroad. Likewise, entering the workforce for a year can really help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs and that can be advantageous when you graduate.
You’ll be more independent and develop a better sense of self
Lastly, it’s been said that no experience is a bad experience, and a gap year undoubtedly gives you a lot of room for personal growth. Whether you decide to travel the world, work, or simply take some time off to work on yourself, you are likely to come out of it with a better sense of self. A gap year can teach you endless skills from confidence, people skills, resourcefulness, and adaptability. Don’t be fooled into thinking that learning only happens in the lecture hall.
Those are the Pros and Cons of taking a gap year during university
So, there you have it- those are the pros and cons of you can face with taking a gap year during university. Remember that there’s no right or wrong decision, and nothing is permanent in life unless you want it to be.