The gap year: yes or no?:

Many parents ask about the ‘gap year’. Not for them of course ... though that thought might be nice - a gap year from parenting.

It is something new for many parents and teachers. For most of us, a ‘gap year’ was something that only the children of very wealthy people did. But today, almost every senior high school student aspires to have a gap year.

In most, but not all, cases it may be worth doing. Here are some reasons why a gap year is useful and why it might not be.

Why?

1.  It gives kids a break

Because we've been there and done that, as adults we tend not to think of school as being a ‘big thing’ for kids – regardless of their age – but it is, even for those finishing Year 12.

In most cases, they’ve worked as hard as they can to finish school and get the best possible result at the end of it. Although it might seem as if 12 weeks of holidays a year as a school student is luxury that will never be afforded again, it’s a real feeling of achievement to finish school.

More kids work in their gap year than just travel for the sake of it, although sometimes the work is overseas.

2.  Getting some money behind them is a key driver for a gap year.

In practical terms, it helps students meet the ‘independence’ requirements for various youth allowance payments which can make a real difference when at university or some other form of tertiary education.

It’s also a great addition to a résumé to say you’ve had work experience once you have qualifications also. The Australian Defence Forces offers a gap year program which is very popular for this combination of experience and money. Some universities encourage the incorporation of experience or a portfolio from work in the gap year as part of the degree qualification.

3.  If finances are not an issue, volunteering is another positive experience. This can be in Australia or overseas with a large number of international agencies.

4.  If your child is unsure about what to do after school, t aking a year off might help them decide on what they’d like to do and what they need to do to get there. Or, more practically especially if they get work experience, it might help them decide what they don’t want to do. That is equally useful.

5.  Some students do a bridging or preparatory course in their gap year. For example, it might help them improve their Year 12 result, or help them prepare for something that will assist them in their course. I have a niece who did this: she went to TAFE and did a year of learning shorthand and Chinese (which she had also studied at school). She then went to university to study journalism and Chinese. She had no shortage of job offers in Australia or internationally, even before she graduated. 

Why not?

1.  One of the reasons the gap year has become so popular in Australia is because we have relatively good employment prospects for young graduates. But for non-graduates (or for those without a further qualification), employment prospects are not at all good. If your child intends entering an occupation where jobs are hard to find, or if they do not intend getting any further education, they may be best served by not taking a gap year.

2.  Another reason is almost the converse of this: if your child intends undertaking further study that will take a long time. For example, qualifying as a medical doctor in many Australian universities now requires a minimum 7-8 years at university because of the graduate medicine program. By the time they've finished university they can be 25 or 26 years old before earning money - older if they also take a gap year. 

3.  Is it really necessary? Is it better to have this 'year away' when more mature? Better able to appreciate the experience? When you've got a companion with you? Only your child and you can answer this. 

There are many online resources on the gap year. If your school leaver is considering taking the year off, I’d recommend you discuss it as a family and take a look at the options together.