A gap year during studies?

It's not uncommon to feel the need to take a break during your studies. Sometimes, uncertainty reigns over a career choice that you may have made a little too early. The study program can be demanding and requires a significant amount of work and a large number of hours, which sometimes add up to the hours spent at a job. In short, many students feel the need to get some fresh air and take a step back to see things clearly. This is why a gap year is often welcome.

Taking a gap year, however, is not a decision to be taken lightly. It's important to plan what you're going to do with your time during this break. The year won't be profitable if all you think about is getting up later and settling for a job in a fast-food restaurant. On the contrary, this year should be one of the most active of your life. No job or family responsibilities yet bind the student, who has plenty of freedom to broaden his or her horizons.

Some students take advantage of this sabbatical to work in the field they will be pursuing upon graduation. They seek to gain experience while also testing their motivation. They will be better able to assess whether the field is a good fit for them or whether it would be better to change direction when they return to school. Of course, since they haven't yet graduated, the job they hold won't be well-paid, which can help them understand how important training is to earning a decent living wage.

The gap year is also often synonymous with travel. It's a wonderful opportunity, after long hours devoted to studies, to go on an adventure and see the world. It's increasingly easy to find great deals for traveling all over the world. Meeting new people and getting in touch with different realities is a learning experience that allows you to situate yourself and will help the student on leave reflect on who they are and find their way for the rest of their lives.

One of the dangers facing students on a gap year, especially when traveling, is that they may become so fond of this freedom that they no longer want to return to their studies. This would, of course, be a mistake. Working a variety of odd jobs while traveling is enjoyable for a while, but it's still essential to complete your training, whatever it may be. It's therefore recommended not to extend your gap year unduly. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to return to student life, especially since too long an absence causes you to lose the learning reflexes and work methods you've developed throughout your studies.

Taking a gap year during your studies may not be recommended for everyone, but when you feel increasingly uncertain about your course or your motivation starts to fade, it's best to take a break so you can come back stronger.