Let’s start by trying to understand why students might not want you to take a gap year. Here are the most common reasons we hear:

I’ll fall behind my peers.
To many high school seniors, the idea of taking a gap year holds the same stigma as repeating a grade. It would mean not taking the “next step” of their education while all of their peers are. Students who feel the need or desire to do anything other than head straight to college often feel anxiety and doubt leading to questions like: Everyone else seems to transition to college without a problem, so what’s wrong with me? If I’m celebrated as a high achiever, shouldn’t I push myself to the next level? We should expect students to have these doubts because the path from high school to college is rarely questioned in the US.
I’m ready to go to college.
High school students work really hard. And, they should. But, many believe that because they achieved good grades in high school, they are ready for college. The demands were high, and your student took on every challenge. They got the grades and test scores to get into a good school. To suggest there is a need for a gap year leads some students to assume you think they haven’t achieved everything that was asked of them.
College is going to be fun, and I’ve earned that
College is sold in US culture and media as a party that good high school students earn entrance to. From Greek systems to spring breaks to study abroad, college is a good time. Many students look forward to this exciting and intense social scene.

Why Students Should Take a Gap Year

This is an important part of going to college
Many high school seniors approach graduation feeling burned out. They aren’t burned out from hard work. They are burned out on schooling that was about getting grades and test scores to get into college. They’re tired of their extracurriculars, evenings, and weekends being filled with activities meant to make them a more attractive applicant to schools. A gap year is an opportunity to fall in love with learning again. It’s the chance to pursue knowledge that is meaningful in the real world by actually being in the real world. When this is done well — with clear intention and planning — students arrive on their college campuses after their gap years ready to take advantage of everything their campuses have to offer. They’re filled with questions that matter to them and matter to the real world. And, they have a deep appreciation for the chance to spend 4 years surrounded by the world’s experts in everything and the resources to study things that matter.
You Can Save Money.

Slide from a Student’s PowerPoint Convincing Her Parents to Let Her Take a Gap Year

A gap year sets you apart from your peers in really important ways
College freshmen often struggle. They struggle socially, academically, and personally. A well planned gap year is an opportunity to learn and grow outside of the classroom. Gap year students and their parents share that their gap year was a critical opportunity to develop the maturity and focus to be ready for the transition to college. Students who took gap years often report that their biggest challenge as college freshmen is having a sense of purpose and direction among students who are lost, unsure why they’re on campus, and partying their way through freshman year.
College is a HUGE investment and this is how you prepare
Higher education requires an enormous investment of money, time, and energy. The burnout high school seniors so often feel at graduation doesn’t go away easily. And, college demands a lot of students. A gap year is the best way to ensure students are ready to make their college years about preparing for a professional career and personal life that is meaningful and fulfilling. Here’s a strong argument from a parent that the investment in a gap year for her son more than paid for itself in tuition savings.

Tips for Making Your Case for a Gap Year

Here are the steps you can take to make your case:

Ask questions.
Inquire about how your student is feeling about heading off to college, if they have any fears or anxieties about the transition, and if they have any older friends who have struggled when they’ve gotten to college. Ask them to imagine they are stepping onto campus for the first time as a freshman. Who do they want to be? What do they need to feel ready to take on those four years confidently and passionately? Make a list of those things. Explain their gap year is about getting from who they are as a high school senior to who they want to be when they arrive on their college campus.
Make a plan.
Consider also how to pay for this gap year. Don’t let this be an inhibiting factor. If you start planning early enough, there are fantastic options available with scholarships and fundraising opportunities.
Sell it.
Share testimonials from students who have taken gap years. Watch videos and read blog posts from students who have participated in the gap year programs you’re considering. Talk to friends and families who have recently sent their students off to college to hear about their transition and the value of a gap year.
Talk it out.
Listen to your student’s questions and first reactions. Ask questions to be sure you understand what they are thinking and feeling. Be patient and give them time (sometimes days or weeks) to think about this. Encourage them to research other options. Students often change their minds about gap years as senior year progresses.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to take a gap year should be the student’s. But, with strong support when considering the option, many students will find it to be the best path for their college transition.

*Originally written and posted on https://thinkingbeyondborders.org/choosing-gap-year-program-2019/