Gap year to work or travel after 6th form

[Orangesandlemons77]

How's it going for your DC who have taken a year off after 6th form, deferring a place at uni or college to e.g. travel or save money?

I have noticed with my DS and some of his friends that maybe due to the COL, quite a few of them are working locally living at home to save money and have been learning to drive as well. Only one out of his friendship group has gone straight to university.

It seems to be going OK. He's got a minimum wage job in a shop stockroom, other friends are working in a supermarket or a restaurant. We're in town so they can meet up quite a bit.

We're not a well off family, so it's good that he has been able to save towards uni next year and should have about 10K (after spending money) from his job to add to his 12K from his CTF (child trust fund) he got last year.

He's also been able to pay for all his driving lessons (£75 each for 2 hrs, weekly) and pay for and pass his driving test. He's also taken over things like his phone contract and dental plan.

He'll be staying at home so he's going to look into funding for the degree soon, not sure other to take all the maintenance loan or not.

I feel a bit sad for them they have not been travelling telling abroad, but saving money is good and they have been on some trips camping together and days out, etc. Maybe they will go in the Summer

Overall apart from the money I think it's been a good thing for his confidence. DS was quite young for the year and didn't get as good grades as he wanted in his A levels so was a bit down, not he seems much more happy and confident.

Sounds as though your son has done really well in his year out and used his time very productively. He will have learnt so many skills as well as getting his driving test and saving money. Different to back packing around SE Asia but probably as many or more life skills learnt.

Both my two DC worked throughout their years out - though spent 11 months working in France, one with an NGO and one as an au pair & volunteering in their spare time. We didn't give them any financial support for their year out.

Both benefited loads though DC2, now in 1st year says you can easily tell the difference between those straight from school and those who've worked for a year. DC1 found it tricky to settle back into uni after a year working in very tough conditions. Uni seemed a bubble but he did adjust after a couple of terms.

My ds is currently on a year out and it’s been great for him. He’s working at a pharmacy and he’s really enjoying the job and the people who he’s working with. He’s learnt how to drive. He’s got a new girlfriend who’s lovely. He’s been saving money but that’s slowed down a bit as girlfriends are expensive. Quite a few of his friends have taken a year out or stayed at uni where we live so his social life has been amazing. His confidence has grown so much and he’s really matured. He’s so much happier now after the disappointment of not getting in to medicine but has realised that he’s looking forward to studying Natural Sciences.

It would be nice if he could spend a little bit of the money hard earned on a holiday abroad?
I'd say the majority of my DD's year went straight to uni, though a couple decided against their course and have returned home to rethink. My DD was initially going to do a creative degree and is currently on a Foundation Art and Design course. She was very fortunate to have been selected for a months work experience abroad, and spent February in Lisbon with 14 others. She has now decided on a change of direction and has applied post exams to study Sociology. She plans on getting a job after her FAD course ends this summer until she starts at uni.
The year has given her breathing space from intensive study. The experience abroad made her mature and grow and pushed her as far out of her comfort zone as possible at this age, all to her benefit. I now feel she will be ready to leave home and move to a new city and manage any challenges.
In fact, tonight we had a very frank discussion about living together moving forward (as even if she goes away to uni it's only six/seven months of the year, and as we live in London it is unlikely she will initially be able to live out after graduating), that she wants to be more involved in household decisions and to know how the finances work (I am a widow, and if I was to be hit by a bus tomorrow there's no one who knows what's what).
A gap year, whether working or travelling or both, is a fantastic opportunity to discover their own abilities and develop resilience outside the classroom while still under the protective mantle of their parental home.

Yes, I think he will spend some it on a trip abroad perhaps. I suppose it might depend when / if his friends are free as well. Thanks for the replies. He is thrilled to have passed his driving test, and might get a car.

My son's friend took a gap year. He is from a single parent low income family and he spent it working, paying for driving lessons and he bought and insured himself a car.

It worked well for him.

In case this of use to anyone considering doing this, I have noticed that on applying for funding for university it does ask for the students income during the year in addition to the parents in calculating the maintenance amount. It's Ok for us as living at home but if more is needed this might be something to be aware of.

Only non earned income from the student is taken not account.

Are you sure, I thought it said household income including the person applying...

OK yes I read it again on the gov.uk site and it does say that. Thanks!

I passed my A levels A VERY LONG TIME AGO.
I took a year out, planning to work and then inter-rail. Had a very bad car accident which meant I couldn't travel but racked up the £ ('80s, very small wages) which really helped me through uni because my parents refused to give me anything (and they did refuse: they wanted me to go to uni, could afford it, but didn't think they should pay anything).
I worked every holiday available (TBF, I'd been working since 14). Realise this makes me sound like my grandad and what he could achieve on a weekend for a shilling!!).
Outcome: it made me super independent, and I finally got my gap 'break' aged 36 on a fantastic sabbatical.

My son is currently on a gap year (as my daughter had too) and has been working hard and playing hard! He has been working as a TA in a school since September and will continue to see o so until the end of May. Right now he’s in Thailand for 3 weeks and has another 4 trips booked before starting at Exeter in September. All his trips are funded by his earnings and he’s also learning to drive which was his birthday present from us. I think a gap year is brilliant for them to grow up and learn some real life skills by working and travelling independently. He will still have some money set aside for uni and knows we cannot afford to completely sub him when he’s there. Great to work but also a great opportunity to travel and have some time off before uni 😊

That all sounds great, yes I think it has helped my son grow up. Since I last posted he's bought his own car with his earnings, insured it and sorted out tax MOT etc.

Hopefully he might get a chance to travel a bit too, working as a TA sounds fab