Should I take a gap year?

The end of high school is approaching. University is on the horizon. It’s only natural to find yourself wondering: “should I take a gap year before going to uni?”

For some, taking a gap year is a no-brainer. Having a year off study to enjoy your newly found freedom as an adult probably sounds quite appealing after 13 years of school, and this would give you a chance to travel or save money. But there are other things to consider too.

Is a gap year the right fit for you? We’re here to help you figure it out.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is basically exactly what it sounds likes: a 12-month break between finishing Year 12 and starting university, during which you can focus on something other than study. Many high school graduates use this time to pursue hobbies or other interests, work in casual jobs to save money, travel or volunteer. There are also specific gap year programs dedicated to helping you build on skills or test out different career paths.

Many people see a gap year as an opportunity to do some soul searching, gain new experiences and learn a few life skills. Or you may simply wish to unwind after 2 intense years of revision and exams – and no one would blame you!

How does a gap year work?

You can still secure a place at university if you intend to take a gap year. You just need to defer your commencement date for 12 months. BUT it’s important to note that there are conditions. Here’s how it typically works.

1. Apply for university through your state’s tertiary admissions centre (QTAC for Queensland).
2. When you get your university offer, respond with the ‘defer’ option (if available) by the due date outlined on your offer letter.
3. Carefully read and follow the directions given to you by your university and you’ll secure a place in your offered program to commence the year after your gap year.

You’ll need to make sure your chosen university  (and the specific program you want to undertake) allows students to defer studies. Most will let you defer for up to 12 months, but some may allow for longer. Each university’s rules are different – you can check them by looking on their website.

Can you take a gap year after accepting an offer?

At UQ, it’s possible to take a gap year if you change your mind after accepting your university offer, as long as Semester 1 classes haven’t already commenced. You’ll need to follow the directions on our Deferring your QTAC offer page to see if you can defer your accepted offer.

What to do in a gap year

We’ve already covered a few of the most popular ways to spend a gap year. But knowing the variety of options out there for your 12-month break from study may help you decide whether it’s a good move.

If you’re wondering “what can you do in a gap year?”, here are a few ideas.

Volunteer abroad

Many organisations facilitate international volunteering programs specifically for young people undertaking a gap year. Check out Projects Abroad or Involvement Volunteers International’s gap year programs to get an idea of what’s out there. From turtle conservation in Sri Lanka to empowering disadvantaged women in Kenya and Tanzania, there’s a huge range of eye-opening and fulfilling volunteer work available.

Travel while house-sitting and pet-sitting

If you want to travel for an extended period, taking jobs house- or pet-sitting is a great way to fund your adventures and keep a roof over your head. There are plenty of websites that will help you organise these services, with some offering accommodation in exchange for pet minding and others offering payment. You’ll often be asked to water plants, feed and walk pets and generally ensure the security of the home while the owners are away. If you can line up jobs so there’s little gap in between, it’s a good way to travel on a budget.

Learn a new skill or hobby

If you have a hobby you’re passionate about but have had little time to work on during your senior school years, a gap year could be the perfect opportunity to explore it further. You may choose to work casually and save money while you practise your hobby. You could also join local groups to become a more active member of your hobby community.

Having a hobby or ongoing passion project can be helpful when you start your university studies, as it gives you a way to switch off and establish a healthy life/study balance.

Get involved in an outdoor camp

Whether it’s a seasonal, charity or school camp, there are plenty of ways you can put your outdoor or hospitality skills to work at camps Australia-wide. From activity instructors to camp counsellors or catering staff, camps need a wide range of workers and volunteers to run. You’ll often get to hang out in amazing remote places with epic scenery and a fun community of staff.

Embrace the future of agriculture

Interested in the future of agriculture and food production? There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in farm work and learn about this incredibly important industry in your gap year. It can also be seen as a chance to develop skills and get a feel for the type of careers available in this industry before starting a Bachelor of Agricultural Science or Bachelor of Agribusiness. You can work on farms across the globe with organisations like Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) or stay close to home (and enjoy a generous training grant) with the Australian Government’s AgCAREERSTART.

Are gap years a good idea?

If you ask your friends and family “are gap years worth it?”, the answers will vary depending on their personal experiences. What you need to work out is whether a gap year is a good idea for you.

Here are a few pros and cons of gap years that will help you weigh up your options.

What are the advantages of taking a gap year?

• A break from study. Avoid burnout in your first semester of university by taking some time away from the books, so you can start your tertiary education fresh.
• Life experience. Enjoy the independence of adulthood by getting out in the world, experiencing new things and learning from them.
• Travel. If you have the funds to travel, embarking on an adventure in the year between high school and university can be great fun and expand your worldview.
• Saving money. Whether you’re saving up for a car, a holiday or your first home, taking a year off to work and build up your savings account is a savvy option.

What are the disadvantages of a gap year?

• Starting uni after your peers. If all your friends are moving straight onto university studies, you may feel a little like you’re being left behind and detached from conversations at friendship gatherings.
• The risk of “getting stuck”. If you don’t set clear goals for your gap year, it can be all too easy to become unmotivated. It’s important to understand what you want from your year off and work towards it.
• Delaying graduation and your future career. This is often a big consideration for those interested in a qualification that takes longer to complete. Deferring means you’ll need to wait a year longer to enter the workforce and earn a salary.
• Falling out of study habits. You may find it challenging to get back into the swing of academic life after a year off from study. Skills you developed and honed in high school could take some time to master again.

So, should I take a gap year before uni?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help make a final decision:

• Am I feeling burnt out and like I’m dreading jumping back into study so soon after Year 12 exams?
• Am I feeling excited by the prospect of starting university and eager to begin my journey to my future career as soon as possible?
• Have I been dreaming of travelling for some time now? Will I have the funds and the time to do this as a university student?
• Is building upon my savings a priority for me? Are there costly items I’m keen to invest in soon?
• Are there scholarships available to me to help with the cost of living?
• Do I feel unsure about what I want to do as a career? Are there ways that I can explore my career options at university?
• Is starting university at the same time as my friends important to me?
• Do I have the self-motivation to stick to my gap year goals when I set them?

There’s no right or wrong answer to ‘should I take a gap year?’. Do your research, weigh up your options carefully and think about what’s most important to you. Everyone arrives at university differently, and it’s not the path you take to get here that matters – it's what you do once you’re here.