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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Gap Year, good idea or not?

14 replies

zazas · 03/09/2015 11:34

My DD is considering a Gap Year. Her grades so far are good and will most likely be predicted A*AA but her chosen course, Economics is very competitive and her existing grades (GCSE/AS) are not overly outstanding with regards to the calibre of Univesities/courses she's considering. However more importantly aside from grades, her maturity is somewhat lacking. As the eldest child, I'm the first to admit she's been overly supported by me and takes very little inititive in sorting things out for herself. I guess specifically I am thinking of the application to university. She is keen to go, just very passive in terms of actually doing anything to enable her to go! I guess I just feel that if she wants to go as much as she says she does, then her actions need to show it, rather than looking to me to 'take care of it'.

So I guess (as I have no experience of this) does she consider taking a year out (she is keen to) and undertake a variety of activities related to her subject and ones that increase her self confidence and independence. Plus spend some time away from perhaps the 'suffocating' nature of the family. Or does she gain that maturity and independence anyway from going to university and a Gap Year just delays her educational journey...

I'm writing this on my phone on the train so I'm sorry if I've not expressed myself as well as I could...

Any thoughts from those who have been through this decision process with their DC appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
zazas · 03/09/2015 11:36

My DD is considering a Gap Year. Her grades so far are good and will most likely be predicted A*AA but her chosen course, Economics is very competitive and her existing grades (GCSE/AS) are not overly outstanding with regards to the calibre of Univesities/courses she's considering. However more importantly aside from grades, her maturity is somewhat lacking. As the eldest child, I'm the first to admit she's been overly supported by me and takes very little inititive in sorting things out for herself. I guess specifically I am thinking of the application to university. She is keen to go, just very passive in terms of actually doing anything to enable her to go! I guess I just feel that if she wants to go as much as she says she does, then her actions need to show it, rather than looking to me to 'take care of it'.

So I guess (as I have no experience of this) does she consider taking a year out (she is keen to) and undertake a variety of activities related to her subject and ones that increase her self confidence and independence. Plus spend some time away from perhaps the 'suffocating' nature of the family. Or does she gain that maturity and independence anyway from going to university and a Gap Year just delays her educational journey...

I'm writing this on my phone on the train so I'm sorry if I've not expressed myself as well as I could...

Any thoughts from those who have been through this decision process with their DC appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
zazas · 03/09/2015 11:37

Sorry double post! Said access denied and then did it twice!

OP posts:
steppemum · 03/09/2015 11:45

if she does take a Gap year, she needs to use it well. Either doing work experience in her chosen field, or doing good voluntary work eg third world. Anything else isn't going to get her any advantage when applying, and may lose her momentum.

If she isn't ready to chose a course, go on a visit and fill in the form then how keen is she to do the course?

Original poster
zazas · 03/09/2015 11:57

Yes she is aware that it has to be a 'productive' year although my concern is if she struggles to organise her uni application, that she will be the same re her Gap Year. She's done lots of Open Days etc and knows what courses she's keen on...just unmotivated to apply. Maybe this is common for a 17 year old and I'm just 'expecting' more than she's able to do. Just feel that it shouldn't be just me getting all enthused re uni!!!

OP posts:
stonecircle · 03/09/2015 13:01

Zazas - I presume your DD is about to go into year 13? At this stage last year my DS2 was about to go into year 13 and had not attended a single open day. He knew what subject he wanted to study but refused to do anything until he got his AS results. Consequently the start of term 1 in year 13 was a mad rush trying to get him to lots of open days (some of which were already full). He just got his personal statement in before the school's deadline. He just got his student finance and accommodation applications in before the deadline. This is all with me nagging him every step of the way.

He goes to uni in just over a week and I'm now badgering him about doing all the preparatory stuff he needs to do. He's not incapable, just likes leaving everything until the last minute - and perhaps winding me up!

So your DD doesn't sound any worse than my DS - and I'm sure lots of other students about to go off to university.

Needmoresleep · 03/09/2015 13:04

One approach might to treat it as a two year process. Apply this year and see if she gets one of the places she really wants. To be honest top courses are so over-subscribed that it becomes a bit of a lottery. If she does not get a place, she knows she will need to get top grades and really polish her PS for a sucessful re-application next year. Or perhaps aim a bit lower.

Original poster
zazas · 03/09/2015 19:26

Stonecircle yes that sounds a little like my DD although she has done lots of Open Days etc because I've arranged everything! I just can't face chasing her to complete everything and on time for another year...I just feel it has to be something she really wants for herself and drives it forward alongside my support.

Needmoresleep she might consider that...I had thought maybe waiting for her A level results and then apply next year rather than defer etc. Maybe this might be a better idea...

OP posts:
Decorhate · 03/09/2015 19:51

Zazas, there is not much to lose by applying this year. If she doesn't get the offers she wants, she can then work her socks off to get good grades & reapply the following year. The main thing is to ensure her school are happy to predict the grades she needs. One advantage of applying in Y13 is that often universities who have made you an offer will accept a missed grade or two if the exams don't go according to plan. If you apply after you get your results, and they are not high enough, you are less likely to get an offer.

stonecircle · 03/09/2015 19:53

Honestly zazas, if I'd left it up to my ds2 he'd still be fiddling with his personal statement. But he's matured incredibly in the last month or two - since he got the good A level results he needed for his firm choice, since he saw all his mates leave school and prepare to go off in all sorts of exciting and challenging directions and since the excitement of the opportunity to live independently in a new city finally hit home. I am still hounding him to finalise arrangements but that's for my own peace of mind really. He's good to go now, but in his own way - not mine!

DS3 now is another kettle of fish. I can quite see him going of to uni and ringing me up during freshers' to say he doesn't feel well and can I go and pick him up ...

itmustbeglove · 03/09/2015 21:52

The other thing is that in Y13 schools seem to go into overdrive with Uni applications.
Once the staff and other students start banging on about PSs, predications and Open Days the less motivated seem to catch on.

FWIW I can see the benefit to a Gap Year. One of mine is having one with a deferred place & I'm hoping he'll grow up a bit.

Katkat50 · 07/09/2015 14:20

My DS considered this, had plans for working in a ski resort then some travel. However, his tutor's advice was to apply for uni right after school to keep his options open. If you apply for deferred entry, you cannot then change your mind, but if you apply and get an offer, you can then defer - in most cases.
In the end, DS is going straight from school to uni and he is very happy with his choice.... Also. As Decorhate says, it is harder to be accepted with a near miss - which is what happened in my son's case.

Horsemad · 07/09/2015 18:34

I'm not a fan of Gap Years, I think they often l lose their momentum - if they had any to start with of course!

My DS wasn't very forthcoming with his Uni applications/open days. Drove us mad with his inertia.
He leaves next week and I've stood right back and let him get on with all the admin for his start.

He's getting on with it, so I'm hoping this is him suddenly waking up to the fact he's got to be responsible for himself!

2rebecca · 07/09/2015 20:30

I think gap years are more useful when you have a qualification behind you and can do something useful. If the degree subject is maths and I think economics is then I agree that the stuff she will forget may outweigh any maturity advantage. ? Consider a Scottish degree which are a year longer

happygardening · 10/09/2015 12:44

I was a mature student at university many went absoltely wild in the first year and I think some would have benefited from taking a gap year to allow them to step off the academic treadmill and let their hair down. DS2 will take one he lives in a bit of a bubble (super selective boys full boarding school) and I've told him to get a job for 6 months and he can save up his own money to go travelling afterwards if he wishes too. He will apply with his grades.
DS1 on the other hand starts university in just over a week, no gap year, I could see him doing nothing in his gap year just wasting the time doing not a lot courtesy of my bank account!

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