GAP YEAR
Per "Thinking Beyond Borders", a “gap year” is typically a period between completing high school and beginning college. This time can be either a semester or a full year away from traditional classroom studies.
While there are many reasons to consider a gap year, the most important is that some students are better prepared for and perform better in college after taking a gap year. Studies have shown that well-structured gap years can provide opportunities to develop personal and social maturity, academic focus, and a sense of direction. Colleges and universities throughout the U.S. have endorsed gap years for many years. With studies showing as many as 50% of college freshmen dropping out before graduation, it is clear that opportunities for this type of growth can be beneficial. Princeton University and the University of North Carolina have both begun offering funding for well-structured gap years as a means of improving the learning and growth of their students.
Gap years come in all shapes and sizes. They include participating in organized gap year programs abroad or domestically, working in a field of interest, civil service in the military or a national service organization like AmeriCorps, pursuing athletics, or traveling the world as a tourist.
While there are many reasons to consider a gap year, the most important is that some students are better prepared for and perform better in college after taking a gap year. Studies have shown that well-structured gap years can provide opportunities to develop personal and social maturity, academic focus, and a sense of direction. Colleges and universities throughout the U.S. have endorsed gap years for many years. With studies showing as many as 50% of college freshmen dropping out before graduation, it is clear that opportunities for this type of growth can be beneficial. Princeton University and the University of North Carolina have both begun offering funding for well-structured gap years as a means of improving the learning and growth of their students.
Gap years come in all shapes and sizes. They include participating in organized gap year programs abroad or domestically, working in a field of interest, civil service in the military or a national service organization like AmeriCorps, pursuing athletics, or traveling the world as a tourist.
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