Gap year?

A few days ago there was an article on the Sydney University website which talked about a research that revealed how a gap year can clarify what you want to do for uni. Professor Andrew Martin concluded that “gap year can be useful for those students who are uncertain in their post-school plans or who are less academically motivated upon completing school”. Now that statement seems rather generalised since who is actually really certain about their post-school plans? There are some who are set on what they want to do, but there are also definitely people who are still uncertain even when they are studying at uni. They may change subjects each semester and still are not satisfied with their choices. There are also those who are not necessarily “academically unmotivated” who want to take a gap year.

The psychology of gap year intentions is very interesting. For me, it was the reverse of what the research concluded. What I want to highlight is how a gap year can impact on your tertiary studies instead of agreeing intentions of clarifying future choices is the reason for taking a gap year. I went on exchange with a clear intention of studying architecture at uni. Coincidentally, my second host family members were all architects and designed shrines. There were some occasions where I went to their building sites and saw their drawing plans. I realised it wasn’t really for me. Indeed the gap year did clarify my uni choices and have now chosen a combination of media and law which is completely different. But this also highlights even if there is certainty in post-school plans, a gap year can make you even more certain about what you don’t want to do and want to do. Of course, gap year intentions vary from person to person but it does shape you and gets you ready for uni.

Although I don’t agree with the “less academically motivated” part of the research, but what a gap year can do is let you take some time off. Once uni starts, it takes a while to get back into the pattern of study as well as adapting to uni life.

A gap year does not necessarily erase all uncertainties but rather opens more options. I still retain a deep interest in architecture and love taking photos of castles, shrines, temples and buildings in Japan and wonder if that “uncertainty” is still lingering inside me.