The Five Biggest Myths about Taking a Gap Year
While there are proven benefits attached to taking a gap year, less than 5% of the student population in the United States embrace the idea. Although the popularity of gap years are growing little by little, it appears that the various myths surrounding this non-traditional path are holding potential participants back. To make an informed decision about your future, you need to separate the facts from the myths. Here are five of the biggest myths about gap year programs:
You Are Avoiding School or Other Responsibilities
There are many who feel that those taking a gap year are merely trying to avoid school and other responsibilities. The truth is that most people understand this choice has nothing to do with laziness. In most instances, students who take a gap year use it to grow as a person, enhance their resume and serve causes they are passionate about.
Everyone Else Is Going To College and You Will Miss Out
The fear of missing out is another major myth that forces many students to jettison the idea of taking a gap year. It can be hard to overcome the feelings that arise as all of your friends head off to college. But you should keep in mind two things. One, 90% of participants go to college after completing their gap year. Two, they will have feelings of missing out as they see the photos and hear the updates of you traveling, serving, going on adventures and getting a year break from school.
One Year Is Enough Time to Forget Most Things You Learned In High School
Some will authoritatively assert that one year out of school will make you forget all you have learned in high school. This is far from the truth! A study by American University found that gap year graduates got 23% better grades than their peers that went to college. And 60% of gap year graduates polled said they took their education more seriously after their gap year.
Taking a Gap Year Can Negatively Affect Your Employability
This is another dangerous myth that needs to be debunked. There is no finding that suggests that taking a year gap can have any negative effect on how potential employers will treat you. In fact, 88% of people who took a year out said that they thought their gap year added to their employability. The combinations of service, being mentored, traveling and focusing on personal growth will shape you into the kind of person any employer would be glad to hire.
Taking a Gap Year Is Only For the Rich
There are some who erroneously assume that taking a gap year is only for the rich. The fact is, there are a lot of different types of gap year programs whose price vary quite a bit. Also, gap year programs offer many different ways to pay. Before you assume you can’t afford a gap year, make sure to look at scholarship opportunities, fundraising ideas and talk to the gap year of your choice about financing options.
Taking a gap year is a choice you should consider seriously. From personal reflection to spiritual growth and deepening of knowledge of other cultures, there are many gap year benefits you shouldn’t sacrifice because of unfounded myths. Click here to discover more about what Denver Gap Year offers and contact us if you have any questions.