Considering a gap year after Matric? Here are the pros and cons before you leap

MARYANNE ISAAC

While studying for your matric finals and going into exam-mode are nerve-wrecking to say the least, so is planning what to do with your life after matric – especially when all eyes are on you. a gap year is time taken off from academia or work to pursue personal growth and self-reflection through life experiences. these experiences could be travelling abroad, holiday jobs or volunteering at an organisation. you may have heard it in conversation with your friends or seen experiences of former school mates documented on instagaram –taking a gap year may seem like a fun way to let loose and discover your interests, but have you weighed the pros and cons yet? gap years are becoming increasingly popular with the youth, but before you jump on the bandwagon, let’s talk pros and cons.

THE PROS OF TAKING A GAP YEAR

1. Gain insightful work experience in your chosen career field taking time off to understand and get firsthand experience in your chosen career gives you the opportunity to get a broader sense of the expectations and skills needed. it will also help you determine if the career path you are considering will be a good fit or not.

2. A recharge and reset before studies or work we all know how exhausting and demanding your matric year can be, and a recharge does feel great. you just spent 12 years in school and before committing to another four (or more) years of studies, a break can be good for you to recharge mentally, as well as physically.

3. Build new life skills with new life experiences, come new life skills and growth. as you become an adult and discover the world out there, you are going to meet new people and gain new life skills through new experiences. with these essential new life skills, you will find the university experience or work-life far less overwhelming.

4. Earn money and travel you can work holiday jobs to earn extra money for university expenses without having the demands of study timetables. some even use this time as a way to travel and discover their strengths and interests.

THE CONS OF TAKING A GAP YEAR

1. You could find the learning transition difficult while a gap year is a great option to take a break from a stressful academic year, for some this can potentially hinder them from getting back into the swing of things. your study habits and discipline may wear off.

2. Travelling can be expensive if you have not planned the gap year experience well enough and made this decision on a whim, you may find this experience expensive. before you commit to a gap year, make sure to use it wisely and that it does not rip a hole in your pocket. Remember, preparing to travel abroad requires prior planning and utmost commitment. the pros and cons of taking a gap add to the opportunities to grow and evolve into the person you are meant to be. while a gap year introduces you to a new life experience with new skills and opportunities within a short time, it can also drastically change your career path and disrupt your studies unless you have a strong will. whichever choice you make, remember to think it out carefully.

3. Studies and job will pause for a year while your peers immediately settle in at university or a job, you have one more year of climbing up the ladder to do. it is important that you plan your life before you take the gap year or you could risk falling further behind and having to play catch up. keep yourself mentally sharp until you resume studies again.

4. If you don’t set goals, you risk losing a lot if you don’t set goals and don’t achieve the kind of experience you planned, you risk losing time and opportunity. you need to be intentional with what you do with your time, and set realistic and achievable goals.

The pros and cons of taking a gap add to the opportunities to grow and evolve into the person you are meant to be. while a gap year introduces you to a new life experience with new skills and opportunities within a short time, it can also drastically change your career path and disrupt your studies unless you have a strong will. whichever choice you make, remember to think it out carefully.