Read on TwitterFirst: what is a gap year?
The idea is to take a year after high school before going to college to travel, volunteer full time, or build something.
Where does the idea come from?
It goes back centuries.
There was a time in Europe when young men from the upper class (think nobility) would take a year after they finished their formal education to take a & #39;Grand Tour,& #39; traveling solo or with friends around the continent.
There was a time in Europe when young men from the upper class (think nobility) would take a year after they finished their formal education to take a & #39;Grand Tour,& #39; traveling solo or with friends around the continent.
This was ideally a growing experience, but likely actually just involved drinking and debauchery on a continental scale for most.
So how is that applicable today?
I& #39;m certainly not saying take a year to sit around and play video games.
So how is that applicable today?
I& #39;m certainly not saying take a year to sit around and play video games.
But with the current situation, today& #39;s students are in a unique position to use a meaningful gap year.
Some colleges are planning on going fully online for the next school year, going so far as to continue to charge full tuition.
If this doesn& #39;t work for you, read on:
Some colleges are planning on going fully online for the next school year, going so far as to continue to charge full tuition.
If this doesn& #39;t work for you, read on:
Whether you are:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚡" title="Hochspannungszeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Hochspannungszeichen"> About to begin your freshman year
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚡" title="Hochspannungszeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Hochspannungszeichen"> Currently an undergrad
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚡" title="Hochspannungszeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Hochspannungszeichen"> Just graduated and looking at a terrible job market
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚡" title="Hochspannungszeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Hochspannungszeichen"> Just graduated and looking at starting grad school online in your childhood bedroom
Consider a gap year.
Consider a gap year.
How?
Let your school know you want to take a gap year and make sure they are willing to:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎯" title="Volltreffer" aria-label="Emoji: Volltreffer"> Hold your place - you don& #39;t want to have to reapply
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎯" title="Volltreffer" aria-label="Emoji: Volltreffer"> Guarantee any scholarships/grants will not be lost for taking a year off
Let your school know you want to take a gap year and make sure they are willing to:
Additionally,
You want to make sure you won& #39;t pay any ridiculous fees: some schools may implement a small fee to ensure the above, but beyond that, there should be no cost.
So what do you do with a gap year (since travel is likely not an option)?
You want to make sure you won& #39;t pay any ridiculous fees: some schools may implement a small fee to ensure the above, but beyond that, there should be no cost.
So what do you do with a gap year (since travel is likely not an option)?
The possibilities are endless, but here are a few:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer"> Start a business
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer"> Go all-in on learning a meaningful skill (copywriting, coding, etc)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer"> Volunteer at a leadership level for a nonprofit in a field that is meaningful to you
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer"> Apprentice with a leader in your field
Or some combination of the above.
Some key points:
- Go in with a plan
- Have an end goal in mind
- Recruit your family/friends for support and accountability
- Don& #39;t get to the end of your gap year and have nothing to show for it
Most importantly, build a life you love!
Some key points:
- Go in with a plan
- Have an end goal in mind
- Recruit your family/friends for support and accountability
- Don& #39;t get to the end of your gap year and have nothing to show for it
Most importantly, build a life you love!
If you made it to the end of this thread, thanks!
If you are a student and have questions, don& #39;t hesitate to reach out!
If you are past your student years, drop a line of encouragement, or tell us what you would have done with a gap year in the comments.
If you are a student and have questions, don& #39;t hesitate to reach out!
If you are past your student years, drop a line of encouragement, or tell us what you would have done with a gap year in the comments.
And finally, I would really appreciate it if you would share and retweet this, so it reaches as many students as possible.
I want them to know they have options and support.
To the students: you have the ability to have an amazing year! Make it the start of a great life!
I want them to know they have options and support.
To the students: you have the ability to have an amazing year! Make it the start of a great life!
