Widening the Gap |
Many argue that taking time off could stifle a young person's transition into adulthood. In his article "Should Students Have a Gap Year? Motivation and Performance Factors Relevant to Time out After Completing School," Andrew J. Martin looks in to the possible negative ramifications of taking a gap year. His study indicated that this break in between high school and college might disrupt the transition into adulthood. This seems to contradict the popular argument that gap years are beneficial for helping students feel more mature and prepared. He cites a study by Birch and Miller, which states that low achievers are more likely to take gap years due to their academic uncertainty. There is also the argument that students who decide to take time off from school will feel less motivated to return to their education.
Is It Really Necessary?
Mary Claire Gerwels from the University of Texas at Austin argues that many students are tempted to take a gap year because of its superficial and glamorous appeal on the surface. She notes that planning a gap year may seem more fun than it actually is and once you've worked out the cost and the logistics, going straight to school may seem like the better option after all. Many students who have the desire to take a year off state their desire to travel or participate in volunteer service projects. Gerwels notes that many schools offer opportunities for travel and service and that these are activities that can also be worked in to the summer between a student's junior and senior year of high school. Stakeholders who hold this position are colleges with these types of programs and students who feel prepared to go to college. These stakeholders believe it is rare that a gap year is necessary and that student should think very long and hard before making that decision.
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