Gap year

[Neuron]

Hey so I'm considering taking a gap year next year primarily because I'm not actually sure what I want to do and don't want to spend my time in Uni studying without a direction. I don't have the self-motivation and ambition to really get into my tertiary studies as of yet. My main concern however is getting my degree a year later.. I could be an older graduate which might effect my employability and perhaps my ability to make new friends, and the fact that my friends will already have been settled into the Uni environment and made new friends frightens me a little (that I'll be an outsider), are these concerns rational?

I will be spending my gap year primarily working at my family business and self-studying university level subjects or try and improve my maths if I'm considering engineering, I will be using this time to hopefully also take a break from studying in general and therefore am considering doing some volunteering work overseas.

Thoughts? What do you guys think are the pro's and con's of taking a gap year?

[Starlight]

Pros: * Time to think about what you actually want to do
          * Get more $$
         * Escape from the worload for a little while

Cons: * Might be harder to get back into the everyday life of uni (which is probably the main reason why most people just commence their tertiary studies straight away)

In terms of being behind everyone else, I don't think it would be too bad since you meet new people at uni anyway.
           

[Eriny]

Friends of mine who have done gap years have found it difficult to settle back into uni afterwards, but it's not as difficult as it is made out to be. With the friends thing, I wouldn't worry too much, you'll probably make new friends in the same year group as you anyway. Plus, it's always good to have later year friends who can let you know who the good lecturers are and what subjects to avoid. You won't be an outsider! At uni, it's really normal for people to take leave, gap years, go on exchange, etc.

I wouldn't worry about employability at all. Probably about 30% (estimating here) of uni grads I know graduated later than expected because of any combination of a gap year, going part time or reducing their load per semester, taking leave, changing degree direction, changing degrees altogether... Graduate recruiters are also not concerned about age (that would be discrimination) just that you have completed a degree. Mature age students often apply for the same roles too.

[Fyrefly]

Have you thought about taking just 6 months off, not a full year? I did that. I recommend.

In terms of graduate jobs, it doesn't matter if you're slightly older than all your peers. On the contrary, I would argue that it gives you an edge of maturity. It's not something you can put a yardstick to, but there's going to be a huge difference between your 19yo self and your 22yo self.

The friend thing is true though... if you don't have many friends outside of school, then you may find yourself a bit lonely and "left behind", because they've all gone on to make a heap of friends at uni. If you have circles outside of school though, you'll be fine.

Best way to spend a gap year is working and travelling, imo. Self-study isn't the most crash hot idea. The point of a gap year is to take a break from study.

[Neuron]

Thanks. The 6 months option sounds good. So it basically means I'll be starting university late, but how does this work since classes would have already started, assignments would have been handed out and finished, etc.

[Eriny]

Most courses are only a semester long, so you wouldn't be missing any material. Just make sure with your degree that you are able to start mid-year, some degrees are more flexible than others.