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Higher education

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

Original poster

Anyone else's DC having a Gap Year?

62 replies

Bowbridge · 08/08/2019 09:09

So A level results are out next week. On Monday, DC has announced that university can wait and they are going to have a gap year. They have obviously been thinking about this for a while as their plans are well thought through and detailed.

DC has worked all through the summer with university students. They have earned a good amount of money and listened to what others did in their gap year. It seems no one regrets having a gap year, but lots regret NOT having a gap year.

I would be interested in other young people's gap year experiences or plans.

Should DC defer their university place or reapply? Part of me thinks with grades in hand and having a year out they may want to apply for something completely different. It really is a sliding doors moment.

OP posts:
Ishoos · 17/08/2019 16:05

My DS is joysticks coming to the end of his gap year. DH was sceptical as worried that he would not end up going to uni. It’s all worked out though, he’s worked - Bar work, barrista, tutoring gcse and working in a school supporting the teachers. All fab experience and means he has loads of transferable skills when he’s looking for a part time job in uni. He’s saved up, not as much as I would have hoped but he’s had a brilliant year, been on some holidays and done festivals etc. He’s matured and I think in a much better place to go to uni. (I’d already made sure he could cook, clean etc!) He’d got a deferred place but changed his mind so withdrew from that and approved for same course at a different uni. I agree with previous poster in that he got direct feedback from his friends who were at uni during the year. They gave him an unconditional which has meant we could sort accommodation etc in advance. He has also rests his lowest A level and got a higher grade just to keep up with studying. All in all a very positive experience.

Original poster
Bowbridge · 18/08/2019 10:40

Ishoos- that sounds like a really good and productive gap year.

Lots of prep schools round our way have gap year students to support individual children in the class room and sport in the afternoon or music (wherever their talents lie). It is great to see the flourish over the year. Many of them tutor GCSE after school, so make quite a lot of money over the year. Most go travelling during the long holiday and they often get great networking opportunities with parents at the school who have experience in their field.

Two year ago a we had a boy who had 4 A* and changed his mind during Y13 about engineering so reapplied to Cambridge post A levels for Vet Med. He tutored my DC for GCSE and made a huge difference with the sciences. He also did lots of work experience with a parent who is a 'super-vet' - he travels all over doing the specialist ops that local vets are not comfortable doing. The student also spent 3 months in Africa before going off to Cambridge. He matured and grew in confidence so much during the year.

OP posts:
Coleoptera · 19/08/2019 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thesandwich · 19/08/2019 21:19

Dd had an unplanned gap year which was a mix of working in a library, volunteering at several large education events, tutoring, and work experience.
So valuable in developing confidence and maturity.
Having followed your dt’s Story, volunteering with national trust/ English heritage/ libraries etc plus tutoring, volunteering at literary festivals, digs etc could have huge benefits for your twins.

TapasForTwo · 19/08/2019 21:27

DD's job only lasted until Christmas, and she really struggled to get another one
She did a 10 week stint volunteering on the children's ward at the local hospital, then has been volunteering at one of the local charity shops since then which has given her more invaluable retail experience.
Then she went interrailing and is about to volunteer at a music festival
Then a family holiday then university

errorofjudgement · 19/08/2019 21:42

DD has successfully applied for a part time retail job in our local city, given there are 2 unis there I think she’s been lucky in getting in her application before the new term starts.
Currently her plan is to work, and save for some local-ish trips eg Paris and Venice rather than a ‘Gap Yah’ experience.
In terms of applying to uni DD will be taking a part time evening course to work on audition pieces.
Now she has her A level results she also knows that she can apply for an academic degree as a back up.
The hope is that over the year her maturity, confidence and sense of fun (now the exams are over) will all grow

Original poster
Bowbridge · 20/08/2019 17:04

Just seen on another website the mention of 'Workaway'.

Has anyone else's DC done this during a gap year?

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/08/2019 07:48

Considering one here as ongoing remark situation in hope of yet meeting firm choice hindering engagement with insurance uni . Term there due to start in just 2 weeks, so not in best frame of mind and feeling the pressure. Not keen on charity tourism but maybe short courses, part-time or seasonal work.

errorofjudgement · 22/08/2019 18:16

It’s the first time I’ve heard the phrase charity tourism. Sums it up perfectly and not something I want to encourage my DD to take part in.

Pebbles574 · 22/08/2019 18:29

DS wants to take one after A levels and we are very pro the idea as he is very young in year and would definitely benefit from the experience/ maturing.
Some questions for others who have been through it though:

  • did your DC/ (you!) plan everything months in advance or wait until after exams?
  • did your DC have other friends to travel with (DS doesn't...) or join an organised group?
unitednations · 22/08/2019 20:40

@Pebbles574 my DS made the final decision to take gap year last week. On daunts day he deferred his uni place.

He is going with 3 mates travelling after Christmas. Intends to work - bar / waiting up until then

unitednations · 22/08/2019 20:40

Daunts = results Grin

LIZS · 22/08/2019 20:47

@unitednations how well received was his request to defer?

Original poster
Bowbridge · 22/08/2019 22:59

DC made the decision just before results day but had been thinking about it for a few weeks before. All the way through A levels they wanted to go straight to uni. It came as a surprise when a gap year was brought up. However, we fully support it. Both myself and OH had gap years. We both worked and studied for another A level (to keep in the studying mode). I had three really interesting jobs. Nothing related to what I do now, but a real insight into the working environment.

DC leaves in a few days to travel. They are starting off with a friend and then will be solo after 5 days.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bowbridge · 22/08/2019 23:02

University were happy to defer DC's place. They emailed back within a couple of hours on results day after DC sent an email explaining their reasons and the plans for their gap year.

OP posts:
Coleoptera · 24/08/2019 09:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thesandwich · 24/08/2019 11:21

coleoptra I really feel for you navigating so much uncertainty.
I would really recommend volunteering to your dts. Have a look at do-it.org for local opportunities. They could develop skills useful in then finding paid work. Also help with skills useful for interviews!
Tutoring is a good way for them to make money- lots of on line agencies, first tour and many others. National trust worth looking at.
Libraries, archives etc too.

nomorefrogs · 24/08/2019 11:24

Place marking to read later!

Needmoresleep · 24/08/2019 17:58

If they want to go overseas, ski seasons and CampAmerica are simple structured ways of doing so.

The cheaper ski companies are willing to take unqualified 18 year olds. I would try Crystal and workaseason (which covers SkiEsprit and others). The intake is very diverse which is good for kids used to focussing solely on academics. About half could not ski.

Camp America is effectively a recruitment company for American summer camps. Again an easy structured way to get overseas.

unitednations · 24/08/2019 21:00

@LIZS sorry missed your question to me

No problems with deferring. He sent an email as couldn't get through on phones and it's all on UCAS tracker so all legit.

Remember to cancel any funding / loans via Student Finance England and any accommodation.

Reapply in-time for Sept 2020.

LIZS · 24/08/2019 21:03

Thanks, dd has submitted her request by phone then email but may not hear back quickly.

unitednations · 25/08/2019 10:13

@LIZS

Phone lines were really busy. We submitted the email on the Friday after results day and it was all confirmed on the Monday.

Hope all goes well.

LIZS · 25/08/2019 15:26

Crystal seem to only be recruiting from Ireland, presumably with an eye on Brexit issues.

LIZS · 31/08/2019 07:30

Still waiting for a decision, Admissions and Accommodation are continuing to request information and term start date is drawing closer.

SoonerthanIthought · 31/08/2019 08:34

Has dd had any "we hope to get back to you by x" type e mails LIZS? If not is it worth chasing them on Monday (or are dd/you concerned that that might just prompt a 'no'?).