Filling in the Gaps
Most high school seniors spend their first semester panicking about college applications and worrying about picking exactly the right school. By the time they finish sending in their applications, they might already be burned out from high school. Some of them might want to consider taking time off before going to college. A gap year might be a perfect solution for these students. A typical gap year might consist of volunteer work, getting a job, travel, and many other structured or unstructured activities. In a society where students seem to be suffering from higher levels of academic stress, gap years are becoming increasingly popular. The first two debates will center around whether there is any evidence that taking a gap year has any measurable benefits or detriments, both personal and academic, for the students who decide to take a year off. The third debate that will be explored whether or not gap years are a universal positive or if they are better suited to a specific type of student.
There are many other questions that surround the debate of gap years. What qualifies as a successful gap year experience? Is there any correlation between socioeconomic status and typical gap year students? Is there a link between K-12 education and a student who decides to take a gap year? However, our focus will be on the potential benefits and detriments of a gap year and if it's the right fit for all students.
There are many other questions that surround the debate of gap years. What qualifies as a successful gap year experience? Is there any correlation between socioeconomic status and typical gap year students? Is there a link between K-12 education and a student who decides to take a gap year? However, our focus will be on the potential benefits and detriments of a gap year and if it's the right fit for all students.
Why Does This Matter?
Gap years have been and continue to be a common rite of passage in Europe. It is widely recognized that students may need to take some time off before focusing on a field that may become their career. However, here in the United States, lots of emphasis is placed on where students should apply to college and what the "right" school is for their future. The notion that picking the right school defines a successful student needs to be broken. Students need to know that just because they don't choose a traditional path doesn't mean they won't be successful. Parents need to recognize that letting their children take more control of their future will help them mature and will increase their self-directedness. Stakeholders in this issue are high school students, parents of students applying to college, teachers, college counselors, and college admissions departments.
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