How to Prepare for Your Gap Year

October 14, 2022

How can you prepare for your gap year? It all begins with a plan. Some students might need to take time away from their studies unexpectedly, and everyone’s responsibilities are different. Either way, it’s always wise to plan out things you’d like to accomplish. By setting short- and long-term goals, you’ll find it easier to stay on track.

If you’re deferring your studies, check in with your academic institution’s admissions team first! Every institution has different deferral rules and timelines. It’s important to know how to defer correctly, as breaking the rules can jeopardize your seat in the program.

Whether you want to gain work experience, care for a loved one, or travel, a gap year is a great time to grow as a person and a professional. Use the tips below to make the most of it!

When is it right to defer your studies? Learn more on our blog.

Set Goals

Here, we’ll use “gap year” as a general term: You might take six months off, or a little over a year so you can travel after a work opportunity. Whatever time you take, it’s wise to set a timeline and a goal date for returning to your studies. By setting a limit, you’re more likely to make the most of it.

Taking a gap year has become more popular in the wake of COVID-19. For example, in the United States in 2021, a College Reaction and Axios poll found 22% of college students weren’t attending school that fall. While more students may be making this choice, every student has a different level of flexibility when choosing how to spend their gap year.

Your budget, location, health, and family can all affect your options. Students who need to recover from an injury or care for a family member will have a different year than someone who works or volunteers in a foreign country. Still, no matter if you’re in your hometown or halfway across the world, this time is valuable.

Set goals with different timelines to keep yourself engaged. Having some easy wins to get started can help your biggest goals feel more reachable. You can even “gamify” goals by promising yourself a small reward for each milestone you hit, or a bigger reward after reaching a few. To keep track, write down your goals. Whether your method is on paper, a spreadsheet, or a calendar app, having a visual reminder can encourage you to keep moving forward.

Ready to return to class and use what you learned? Here’s how to write a compelling study gap statement.

Create and Understand Your Budget

A budget can feel like a lot to prepare, but it’s an important step. You’ll still need to afford tuition when your gap year ends!

Start with a list of your major expenses: think groceries, transportation, and rent.
Then, factor in occasional costs, like clothing, entertainment, and travel.
Compare these expenses against your expected income for each month to understand your cash flow.
Don’t forget to save some money for your future life as a student, as well as last-minute expenses! This way, if friends invite you on a week-long trip, you’ll know if you can spare the money and time away.

The best budgets are active documents. Check it monthly to see if you’re staying on track. When you do, update it as you settle into new patterns. Spending less on groceries than expected? The cost of a monthly transit pass increased? Update your budget to reflect those changes, and remember you’ll still need to keep it balanced.

We look at how taking time away from your studies can impact your finances in this blog.

Be Open to Opportunities

Think about the skills you want to develop during your gap year. Do they relate to your future studies? Here are some ideas:

Do you want to learn a new language? Whether it’s Portuguese or Python, knowing different languages can diversify the job opportunities you qualify for.
Stuck between two career paths? Working in a field you’re interested in can help you decide if it’s a good fit. (And, whether it’s architecture or medicine, can also help you learn if you’d rather just watch that job on TV.) There’s no shame in deciding one job isn’t right for you! Better to learn early than invest in a degree you don’t want to use.
If you’re busy during the day, try taking free online classes. Many allow you to study at your own pace, and can give you a head start in your field.
Volunteering can be a great way to support causes you believe in. Plus, it helps you build soft skills that help you stand out to admissions teams and employers.

Travelling as a student can be a lot of fun, too! If you plan to work abroad for a year or a season, research working holiday visa options. Plus, many companies have special tickets or cheaper days for youth (people under 25 or 30). From rail passes to groceries, remember to use these discounts!