GAP year or not?

[Newmoon71]

What is the opinion on whether kids should take a Gap year or not, to travel, work, learn a language in another country, etc.

I took 6 months off (not in UK) as didn’t get i into the university I wanted, I used it to study and prepare better and took a couple of courses hobby related. It didn’t harm me and I got into the degree and university I wanted.

It sounds like there are more positives than negatives as long as it is used properly and not wasted. They go to university being more matured and prepared for independence.

One simply wanted to get on with his degree, the other had had a difficult, illness related, Y13 so wanted a breather. She studied then kitchen portered at a cookery school, then worked a ski season and followed by Camp America. I think some roles, such as chalet host, may still be possible in the Alps though you may need some sort of cookery cert.

She is now an F1 junior doctor and the first couple of months were brutal. One weekend in three, up to ten days in a row including 13 hour shifts, and 4 deaths, albeit expected, on one of her first night shifts. Grim, but the ski season experience of being up at 4.00am to cook breakfast for those leaving for an early flight, cleaning the chalet and having to remain smiling to cook dinner at midnight for guests off a delayed flight was invaluable. As was the knowledge that she has survived once so could do so again. A gap year gives the chance to acquire broader skills that should contribute to employability.

(Work seems to have become much more manageable and enjoyable😊.)