A year out between leaving school or college and going to university or starting a job - a gap year - will certainly be the first and may be the only chance you have to fill a whole year with activities that you have planned in order to fulfil your personal ambitions.

You need to seize the chance now. A successful gap year needs thought and planning. This article will introduce you to the planning process and offer some thoughts as to what you might do and what you should be seeking to achieve. It offers no easy solutions. Planning a well-structured gap year is hard work but the rewards will be worth it. A gap year can change your life!

How do you start?

First take a good look at yourself. I mean a really good look at yourself. Ask yourself:

What have I done with my life?

Where am I now and where do I want to go?

Why do I want to take a gap year?

What do I want to achieve as a result of my gap year?

How will it help me at university? Most important of all,

How can I use my gap year to help me secure the job I really want?


Look at your strengths and weaknesses and then try to work out how you can plan your year to build on your strengths and reduce your weaknesses. It is for this reason that a gap year is a very individual affair so find the time to think through these questions. By all means bounce ideas off family, friends and others who you think may help but this is your year and the decisions must be yours and yours alone. Jot down your thoughts on paper. Better still start a diary so that you have a permanent reference of what should be the best year of your life.

A gap year actually lasts fifteen months, from July to September the following year. It is a long time and careful research and detailed planning is essential if you are to make the most of the time available. Ideally you should have the main items planned and confirmed before you start your final year at school.

Obstacles

Don't expect your planning to go smoothly. Family friends and others will raise many doubts in your mind:

Will your course still be available a year on? Will there still be a place for you?

Will you able to get back into the habit of studying when you return?

Can you afford to take a gap year?

Won't you fall behind your peer group?

There is no need to be put of by these concerns. They need some thought and checking them out will take time and effort, but you will find a way through. Just be thankful that you started planning early.