How to Take a Gap Year In College

When you hear “gap year,” what do you immediately think of? For many, it brings to mind images of traveling the world before or after college; backpacking around Southeast Asia or Europe, partying with new friends, living large before having real-world commitments.

You can have the time of your life without sacrificing progress in your academics.

Most also imagine a gap year as an adventure taken either immediately after high school before getting your degree, or before you jump into your first full-time job post-grad. But the truth is, a gap year is much more than a party and it can be taken anytime you want, for however long you want.

That’s right, a gap year can be anything you want it to be. You can extend your gap year for longer or shorter to suit your desires, and you can take it anytime you want, including right smack in the middle of your college career. Yes, it means taking a break from your studies, but it’s also an opportunity to learn outside the classroom, expand your mind, gain real life experience, and pursue passions that you might not discover otherwise.

It’s an opportunity to travel meaningfully, learn new languages, connect with people all over the world, and can actually help you return to college feeling more in alignment with yourself. Wondering how to take a gap year in college? Here you’ll find everything you need to know before taking the adventure of your dreams.

Can you take a gap year during college?

It’s important to check university policies on gap years before making any decisions.

Taking a gap year during college isn’t the most common time to go abroad, but don’t let that hold you back. For some, taking a gap year in college could be the perfect time to do it.

Perhaps you weren’t quite ready to travel solo as a freshly graduated high school student at 18 years old. Perhaps you didn’t have the money to do it then either. Yes, you could wait until you finish your degree, but taking a meaningful gap year abroad in the middle of your studies could actually be exactly what you need to give yourself a break and reflect on where you’re going.

Taking a gap year in college gives you the opportunity to consider if you’re happy with the direction you’re headed. Are you satisfied with the degree you’ve chosen, or are there other interests you’d like to pursue? Is it too late for you to pivot in another direction?

Even if you’re happy with your study pathway, a gap year gives you time and real world experience to set tangible goals for yourself and gain new skills before you graduate.

Logistically, do your research on how gap years work and whether it’s feasible for your degree. For most, it is totally possible!

Should I take a gap year during college?

Weigh your pros and cons, and make your decision accordingly.

Before asking yourself how to take a gap year during college, consider the question of why. What is your reason for taking a gap year? Is it to escape the real world and party your way through a new country, or do you crave a meaningful experience that will truly help you to grow as a person? This will give you insight into whether taking a gap year during college is right for you.

If you are craving more out of your study experience, taking a gap year in college could be exactly what you need—a break from your studies to catch your breath and reset, while rediscovering your goals and passions, or uncovering new ones!

There are endless opportunities for growth by taking a break in the middle of your studies, whether you decide to learn a new language, gain internship or work experience abroad, or volunteer for a cause that’s close to your heart. If you choose to do it meaningfully, taking a gap year in college could actually make your overall study experience more successful.

So should you take a gap year during college? Only you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.

But…is it ok to take a gap year during college?

It can be easy to talk yourself out of taking a gap year during college. The fear is real: the fear of missing out on campus life and time with friends, the fear of falling behind in your studies, or the fear of readjusting to exams and textbooks after time away.

But studies show that gap year students tend to return more mature and excited to dive into their programs. If you are feeling called to take a break from your studies and travel the world, most colleges will support your decision. The first thing to do is to ask an academic adviser if you can take a gap year in the middle of college. They’ll be able to let you know if your college allows it, how much time you can take, and how it will affect your degree.

How to take a gap year during college

Are you ready for your adventure?

Taking a gap year during college can feel like an overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are the step-by-steps of how to take a gap year while in college—it’s actually quite simple.

1. Consider your pros and cons.

Why do you want to take a gap year in the middle of college? Why is now the perfect time for you? Before you make any moves towards interrupting your studies, the most important thing to start with is a brainstorming session. Get clear on your why.

Consider what you have to gain through a gap year—the real world experience and expansion—as well as what you have to lose. Will you still be able to take all of your required classes when you get back? Will you be able to transition back into school after time away? Do the pros outweigh the cons?

2. Talk to an academic advisor.

Once you’ve assessed whether or not taking a gap year in college is the right decision for you, it’s important to know the logistics of your university. Can you take a gap year in college, according to the policies in place?

An academic advisor is generally the best place to start. They can let you know if your college allows an interruption, how it will affect your degree, and the process if you decide to move forward. Typically, an academic advisor will answer the hard questions you may not have considered, on everything from fees to housing to scholarships and more.

3. Plan out the gap year of your dreams.

Having a plan will give you a sense of structure.

If your college has given you the green light, then it’s time to get creative. How do you want to spend your gap year abroad? Where would you like to go, and for how long? How much money do you have saved and what is your budget for your time away?

There are endless ways to spend a gap year abroad, whether you decide to have a year of adventures or gain real world experience that will shine on a resume. This is the fun step—dream big!

4. Request an interruption in your studies.

Once you have an idea of what you want your gap year to look like, it’s time to get the process rolling. Contact your college and start the necessary paperwork. Many colleges will require you to put your request to defer your studies in writing—you’ll have to specify that you want your place held and for how long.

You may have to fill out further paperwork, depending on your college’s policy. While this is the most tedious step, it’s also one of the most important so that you can transition back to your studies seamlessly after your time abroad.

5. Apply for your gap year program.

While it’s definitely possible to take a gap year on your own, there’s something special about joining a gap year program abroad. Gap year programs offer meaningful experiences that will boost your resume, while also taking care of many of the logistics for you.

For a fee, many will assist you with visas, flights, accommodation, insurance, and on-the-ground support—all the nitty gritty details that you may not want to do on your own. A gap year program also ensures you’ll have an adventure of a lifetime, whether that’s through working, interning, volunteering, or getting out of your comfort zone on every level.

6. Book your flight and pack your bags.

It’s time to tie up all the loose ends! Book your flight, pack your bags, and make sure you have your passport and visas sorted for international travel. Before you know it, you’ll be exploring a new corner of the world, making lifelong friends, and growing into a new version of yourself. Your college won’t know what hit them!

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Taking a gap year during college could make you a better student later on!

Is this the boost your academic career needs?

While taking a gap year in college isn’t the traditional approach, there’s no doubt that it could be the perfect experience to make you a better student. With an opportunity to gain new skills and experiences, expand your horizons, and reflect on your college career, a gap year in the middle of college will allow you to return to your studies with wider eyes, more tangible goals, and the drive to tackle your studies. So if taking a gap year in college is an option for you, what are you waiting for?

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