For some students, taking a year out between school and university has always been part of their plan. They recognise that the experiences they can gain from exploring options outside of a formal studying environment can open their eyes to new perspectives and give them valuable experiences that will ultimately make them better and more focused students.

However, for some, the opportunity for a gap year may be due to a change of heart, or a rejected offer. Whatever the reason may be, a gap year can be a valuable and life changing experience, that will change your future for the better.

Five reasons why a gap year can be a valuable and life changing experience and enhance your CV.

1. Firstly, deferring entry to University is not going to ruin your chances of getting into a top university. Many Universities positively embrace a student taking a year out between school and studying further, recognising it gives students a level of independence and an ability to cope with change that will stand them in good stead when they start their course. Whether you are applying to defer your entry or taking the pressure off and applying post results, your gap year plans need to be well articulated in your personal statement to demonstrate how it will be of use when you do get to University.  Be sure to check your University is happy to defer - some, such as Oxford and Cambridge are unlikely to offer deferred places.
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2. Funding your own gap year means that you will have to find a way of earning money to make your ideas become a reality.  Whether you are working in a shop or waiting tables in your local restaurant, all of these experiences give you hands on practice dealing with people, learning the meaning of an 8 hour day and teaches you the value of money – once you realise how many hours it takes to earn the money for a new top, you have a whole new appreciation of budgeting!  These early employment opportunities are also very valuable when it comes to joining the world of work later on – a third of top graduate employers said it was very unlikely they would offer a job to a graduate with no work experience.
   
   

1. Working or volunteering in another country can give you the opportunity to travel and work at the same time. This can really open your eyes and give you an insight and understanding of the culture you are living in and to properly experience of a different way of life.  It will help you make real connections with local communities and make new friends. According to a survey by gapyear.com, 60% of ‘gappies’ are interested in volunteering projects. It is really important to do your research, -some of the volunteering projects are hugely worthwhile but be wary of some of the all-inclusive travel/volunteering activities may not be as impactful as you hope.
   
   
2. Whilst going travelling is often a bit scary and uncomfortable to begin with, it is a great opportunity to leave your comfort zone and challenge yourself to experience new things, be it a 30 hour train journey across India or a bungy jump in New Zealand. You also learn how to cope with the unexpected, a bout of food poisoning that might disrupt your plans or getting on the wrong bus and ending up in a totally unplanned destination.  Once you have learned to cope with the unexpected and turn a situation around you will be amazed how much you will grow in confidence and resilience.
   
3. Investigate acquiring a particular skill such as learning a language, a cooking course or learning an entrepreneurial skill.  Or look into internships – several of the larger companies such as IBM, offer year long programmes for students in between school and University.  A structured gap year is definitely the way ahead, gone are the days of it being one long beach party!

A gap year should not be a year of lying in bed dreaming of things to come, or a series of paid for and curated adventures subbed by the bank of Mum & Dad.  Identifying what you want to achieve in your gap year and then making a well thought out plan will help you to gain the most from the experience.  That way you will learn about self motivation, getting up in the morning, how to manage your money and what to do when your passport gets stolen, plus have some fabulous photos to put on Instagram to make all of your friends jealous!

Planning a gap year?  Contact Carfax Education for advice on how to make the most of it.

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