Written by Elly Herrick, News Editor, Staff Writer, Photographer & Illustrator
After throwing a graduation cap in the air after four long years of work, is it smart to dive into college or enjoy our last teenage years?
As COVID-19 cases increased last year, more and more students opted to take a gap year. A survey done of incoming freshmen who aspired to attend a four-year college finds that 40 percent of them are taking a gap year. This leads to the question: Are gap years all that bad?
The stereotype is that if you take a gap year, you’re lazy. Which isn’t true. It’s all about what you do in those 12 months that you would have spent as a freshman in college that is important. People take gap years for a variety of reasons. Just because a person takes a gap year doesn’t necessarily mean they’re sitting on their parent’s couch all day. They could be doing paid internships, working full time, volunteering, traveling, and most importantly living out their last teenage years to the fullest.
Many students take gap years to avoid academic burnout. A survey done at Princeton University shows that over 50% of students get stressed out about academics. A study done in Kenya reveals that about 81% of students were at a low level of academic burnout and about 19% were at a high level. Academic burnout is a problem many students face globally, so taking a gap year wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life, especially at a young age, is one of the hardest decisions a student can make. Going to college undecided is an option, but it’s a waste to spend thousands of dollars to do something you’re not sure or passionate about. Gap years are a perfect time to save up for college and do the things that make you happy and make you who you are. If you’re undecided and overwhelmed by college, a gap year is a perfect opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and give themself more time to explore careers and hobbies.
While it’s nerve-wracking to take a year or two off, it’s the quality and not the quantity that matters in life. Sometimes students go to college to please their parents and so they can prove to them that they’re mature. It is a nice gesture, but a financially stupid one. Going to college because you’re supposed to and not because you want to is a waste of time and money. Going to college should be a huge moment in a person’s life that shouldn’t be judged or rushed.
As long as you’re happy with where you’re at right now, that’s all that matters. Every student’s academic lives are different. Is it worth it to keep on moving forward and go to college? Why not take a step back to enjoy the life you have now and live out the rest of your teenage years? Ultimately, in the end, you and only you should have control over your academics.