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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about your teens’ gap years?

13 replies

Bippitybopppityboo · 09/08/2025 14:43

A few people mention it but I don’t know many in person whose kids had a gap year. Did yours? What did they do etc?

My eldest is thinking about it but not sure where to start! Needs a bit of cash so working is important, but also experiences.

Any thoughts out there?

IABU - gap year waste of time

YANBU - it’s a good idea for some

OP posts:
UniWorries732 · 09/08/2025 16:01

DD took a bit of a forced gap year - didn’t get into her preferred uni course first time but it actually ended up being a blessing in disguise! It has been the making of her, she’s so much happier, more independent and confident.

She…

  • got a good job and was able to do lots of overtime in order to build a decent savings pot, some of which will help with uni costs next year
  • volunteered at our local children’s hospital, she’ll be doing a healthcare related course so this was a great learning experience for her
  • spent 6 weeks travelling the east coast of Australia and had the absolute time of her life!

Many of her friends also took gap years for various reasons. Quite a few worked as chalet girls for the ski season, one even went to Canada for the winter to become a ski instructor! South east Asia also seemed to be a popular gap year travel choice alongside Camp America.

Hoppinggreen · 09/08/2025 16:07

DD had one while doing an extra A Level for the degree course she wanted.
She did have a job lined up but it fell through unfortunately but it was one of the best years of my life as a parent to be honest
I work freelance and so spent lots of time with her and we had great fun, she helped me at work a bit and we did day trips and all sorts
Made me miss her all the more when she left for Uni.
I think she would have struggled going to uni at 18 and she matured a lot over that year and most of her friends had a gap year of some type so same age as her

Octavia64 · 09/08/2025 16:17

Mine took a forced gap year.

he intended to earn money and resit an a kevel.

he did resit but covid got in the way of earning money.

Cornishmaiden · 09/08/2025 16:29

DD took a gap year and worked full time for a major high street retailer. Put lots of money into savings and had a couple of expensive holidays. She finished her degree whilst still working for the retailer. Then started working in her chosen field and hated it. Went back to retailer who offered her a place on their graduate training programme. The gap year gave her the maturity and confidence to be able to leave her original pathway and do what she really loves.

Couchpotato3 · 09/08/2025 16:33

DD took a gap year (didn't feel ready to go off to uni immediately after school). She took her time looking around and applying to uni and got a place at her first choice (having A lever results already took a lot of pressure off). She got a fairly basic office job for the year, which she enjoyed and saved some money from. It motivated her to work hard at uni to get something better. Boring, but it worked for her

Ted27 · 09/08/2025 16:41

Worked in Tesco, volunteered in a Samaritans shop, driving lessons and passed his test.
It was also my first year as a foster carer and he was very helpful in getting the house ready and did some 'baby' sitting for me a few times a week ('baby' was 11)

Flashflash1002 · 09/08/2025 16:45

I took one myself - not planned and parents would have rather I went to uni, but it wasn't my first choice uni. I KNEW I could get into my first choice if I tried again, so I decided to take a year out to retake some units to bump up my grade.

I didn't do anything exotic, had two part time jobs - so essentially was working full time - one job was absolutely related to the vocational course I applied to (and eventually graduated from) and the other was supermarket checkouts. And in between work, I went to a tutor for one subject, and revised for my retakes and went on a cooking course .. and honestly, it was the best thing I chose and did for myself at 18.

I earned money, gained experiences and without sounding too clichéd, social skills improved by interacting with people who weren't my peers and overall became more grounded? I think I was burnt out from school, so even if I did enter uni at 18, I feel like I possibly would have failed or just scraped a pass or something. Taking a year out of education was a blessing and meant I had a fresh start, and did well and enjoyed uni.

I honestly loved my gap year - like I said it was nothing special, I didn't travel at all! But I essentially matured a little and am so proud for myself for working hard towards my ultimate goal which made me cherish my place on my course at my first choice uni even more.

I think a gap year for the right reasons would definitely be worth it!

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/08/2025 17:12

DC2 spent a year working full time as a lifeguard. They really matured in that time and saved ££££ which obviously was brilliant for the uni years. It wasn't their original plan but as it happens I would say it was for the best. DC2 has ADHD and is emotionally a little immature. They found the first couple of months of uni very difficult and that would probably have been even worse the year before .

ginasevern · 09/08/2025 17:23

How refreshing to see so many young people not doing voluntourism overseas.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 09/08/2025 17:27

Mine is on one at the moment and is planning on taking next year out as well.

She has worked full time and saved a decent amount of money. She has done one volunteer experience in Greece and learnt to scuba dive which she loved and is planning on doing another one in Spain in September.

Next year she wants to do more travelling, possibly go to Australia if she can save enough money.

Then finally university in Sept 2026!

Tinytigertail · 09/08/2025 17:32

DD is just finishing her post A Level gap year. She deferred her place at uni, got a job and worked her socks off for 6 months. She's just returned from 5 months traveling around SE Asia with a friend and she had a blast. I think she's much more prepared and excited for uni now.

AthenaWhite · 09/08/2025 19:59

DD took a gap year. She was diagnosed with autism at 18 and after her A levels was completely burnt out. She deferred her place at art uni and had no plans but ended up with a few jobs one in an art gallery. We had a lovely pressure free year together and she really matured. By the time uni came around she was ready to go, just getting ready for her second year now.

Original poster
Bippitybopppityboo · 10/08/2025 17:45

Thanks everyone, that’s a lot of exciting / interesting / useful times your teens have had. Everyone thinks it’s been a benefit, definitely something to think about.. ❤️

I wonder how many unis allow a student to defer with a guaranteed place vs how many apply / reapply the next year.

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