Is It Okay to Take a Gap Year If I Just Need Some Time Off?

When I had finished my revision, said the final goodbye to textbooks and completed my last exam, I knew it was all over.

After 13 years of schooling, I could finally move on and begin life. The only question was: How?

I mean, with a world so full of potential, future careers and opportunities, I had to make sure I was going to make the right decision for me. That meant: no pressure from peers going to university straight up, the unnecessary urgency to move out of home or the expectations of those around me.

During my two years of VCE studies I had many challenges like any other student. But there was a time I had felt that there was never going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Due to a conflict in my second-to-last year at high school, I was an emotional wreck, driven to many nights of wondering where I went wrong and I why I deserved such pain. It was difficult to understand what the point of studying was, and how it would even help me in life. This complete and utter lack of motivation destroyed my soul in more ways than one, but I knew I had to keep climbing, if not to find a light, but for it to be over.

Then came my final year. My friendship dynamics changed. It was a new year, and I was determined to start fresh. As my persistence grew, I was able to head towards the final stretch, and became content with the fact that I had achieved results higher than my own expectations. At the end of the year, I had a clear vision of my career path: to become a primary school teacher.

So, although my mind was set in stone about my future, I was not entirely ready to start that journey, without taking the time to cleanse my brain of the last two years of mental exhaustion.

And here I am, newly 18, working in a pub, babysitting, volunteering with the Scouts and playing netball. It may not be the most exciting idea for a year off, but I now have the time to ease into adult life, without the hassle of further education thrown into the mix. Further into the year, I’m planning on doing a bit of travelling and then taking some small trips interstate, just because I want to.

For those considering where to venture after their 13-year prison school sentence, I suggest you take a moment to think about you. Not your parents, friends or what other school leavers are going to do. This is your decision and your decision only.

Sure, there may be other factors contributing to your choice, but in the end, it is your future and your life.

Here are some basic points to consider as you make that decision that everyone is dying to hear:

Who are you? No seriously, who are you? As a person in society, what is unique to you? What defines you? If you’re not sure, take a gap year to discover!

Do you want to see the world? Don’t do the whole ‘I have plenty of time to travel’ thing. You’re young; go see that ancient village now because it may not be there forever! (Just remember, you may need to pull some extra shifts at work to pay for this travel.)

Are you ready to keep studying? Because if you are, fantastic! If not, don’t worry; there’s no rush. Take a breather and maybe spend some downtime with your friend Netflix.

Candice Wilson is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. See more student contributions here.

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