Taking a gap year means a recently graduated high school senior doesn’t automatically enroll in college for the following fall. Instead, the graduate takes a year for personal growth or work. Although gap years used to be seen as a time for teens to travel around the US or Europe, the coronavirus pandemic has made them more mainstream.
Particularly in the 2021-2022 academic year, your recent grad should consider taking a gap year. Whether for personal growth, to financially help the family, or to save up money, the benefits of taking a gap year have never been more practical.
College Enrollment and the Pandemic
The 2020 spring semester outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in widespread shutdowns of college campuses across the United States. Students were told to pack their belongings and head home for the rest of the semester. Most colleges wrapped up their courses through distance learning. This inherently placed an unfair advantage on students wealthy enough to afford the required technology (computer, internet, etc.). The pandemic shined a bright light on the digital divide in the US. It also placed an unfair burden on students who didn’t even have homes to return to (international students, grad students, etc.). Additionally, there was a wide spectrum of success in terms of how college professors handled the task of rapidly switching to online learning. There were many instances when the students felt cheated out of proper education – an education they had paid handsomely for.
As epidemiologists look to the fall and predict the course of COVID-19, no certainties are guaranteed that another shutdown won’t occur. Researchers, such as the head of the Centers for Disease Control, predict another peak of infections around late fall, at the same time as the seasonal flu. As a response, a portion of colleges are considering keeping their campuses closed and only offering online courses. Other colleges have a “wait and see” mentality that may result in another mid-semester closure. Some colleges are requiring students to get the Covid vaccine if they plan on returning to in-person classes. All scenarios point to uncertainty for students. Will you get the education you paid for? Will it be safe to return to campus? Or will you be refunded the money if needed? These are all unanswered questions.
Taking a Gap Year Might be the Only Choice for Some
For recently graduated seniors, taking a gap year is a more certain course of action. It gives students the opportunity to see how the pandemic evolves over time. Unlike in the past, a gap year won’t mean a loss of true college experience. The truth is a true college experience simply isn’t guaranteed for next year anyway. Campuses that do open will certainly impose strong social distancing rules, mask coverings, and a different way of life. It’s a far cry from the boisterous parties, large class sizes, and tight living quarters that college experiences usual entail.
The pandemic has also altered families and incomes, so the situation a student was in only months ago – poised for college entrance and paying tuition–may not be reality anymore. Families might not be able to afford to send their teen to college. Taking a year to financially recover from the pandemic might be necessary. Families should take solace in knowing they aren’t alone in making that choice, as millions of people have suffered from unemployment caused by the pandemic.
What to do in a gap year
Here are a few ideas to consider if your recent grad decides to take a gap year. These are ways to make the most of that time.
- Work: gaining work experience is important for personal growth and financial stability. Tip: Consider applying for a job with a company that offers tuition reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement is a great way to avoid massive student loan debt.
- Learn a trade: the workforce in trade fields, such as plumbing and electrical work, has been waning. Now is a great time to get hands-on experience and learn a trade that could turn into a profitable career in the trades. Tip: If you’re leaning towards a vocational school, check out our tips on questions you should ask a trade school enrollment counselor.
- Intern: taking on an internship is all about gaining experience in a specific area of interest. Internship positions are good for exposing you to potential careers and boosting their resume.
- Volunteer: there are myriad of opportunities to volunteer and help out the local community. Consider volunteering at food banks, animal shelters, or environmental cleanups.
- Care for family: teens may need to step in and care for siblings or sick family members.
- Save money: for family or for future college, saving money is always a good idea.
- Fill in educational gaps: this is a good time to take your education into your own hands. Consider filling in the inevitable gaps that occurred from school shutdowns.
- Take SAT/ACT: this is also a good time to prep for future college by taking entrance exams, working on college essays and applications.
- Travel: traveling gives you the opportunity to develop a different perspective and contributes to your own personal growth. You don’t need a ton of money to travel. Consider these budget travel tips to make traveling more affordable.
Key Takeway
Taking a gap year makes sense now than ever before. It’s something all recent grads should consider, because the pandemic has changed the college experience and life as we know it.
