Skip to main content

What to Do During Your Gap Year

Deciding to take a gap year between undergrad and a graduate program can be difficult. After making this decision, trying to decide what to during your year off can seem like a daunting task. In order to make sure that you not only have fun, but that you have meaningful experiences that can be listed […]

Deciding to take a gap year between undergrad and a graduate program can be difficult. After making this decision, trying to decide what to during your year off can seem like a daunting task. In order to make sure that you not only have fun, but that you have meaningful experiences that can be listed on a resume, I have compiled a list of things to do during a gap year.

Traveling is an experience that can be very fulfilling, and it should not be overlooked. Experiencing a different country, and immersing yourself in a different culture is a choice you will never regret. Whether you go to a different city, state, or country, changing the circumstances you surround yourself with can allow you to discover new things about yourself. When you interact with people that have completely different worldviews and ideals, it allows them to change the way you see yourself and the world.

Internships allow you the opportunity to gain real-world experience while also discovering what you like and dislike. This can help you plan for the future - if you are planning to go to grad school, but discover that you hate the field you were thinking of going into throughout an internship, it can save you a lot of money, time, and frustration. Internships can also lead to connections that can help you go further in your future, as recommendation letters and references can be very important when applying for continuing education.

Being a camp counselor at a children’s camp can also be very rewarding. Assisting children in a camp setting can provide you with many skills, such as coordination, coaching, and organization. If you are considering doing anything with children in the future, this is an especially good option for you.

Learn a new skill, whether that’s cooking, a new language, scuba diving, skiing, or taking a class at your local community college. Having something tangible allows you to prove to yourself and others that your time off was worth it, and that you have learned something useful. Learning should never stop - even if you don’t do learn in a formal way, utilizing your brain daily and stretching yourself is a good practice to follow throughout life.

Teach in a different country - go abroad and teach children English! This doesn’t require a degree in English for some places, some only require that you have a Bachelor’s, and also the language barrier isn’t always a barrier, certain schools think that not knowing the native language will force the students to work hard to understand you. This is an incredible option, as it allows you to travel, gain experience with teaching children, and explore a new culture.

Volunteering within your own community or somewhere different is always a worthwhile endeavor, but it can be especially valuable during a gap year. Focusing on others for a change, and working on being the best version of yourself that you possibly can be is incredibly refreshing and enlightening. There are many different non-profit organizations throughout the world, so it is easy to find one that works for your schedule and is interesting to you.

Whatever you choose to do, find something that will help you in creating the best version of yourself that leaves you with the knowledge that you accomplished something throughout your time off. The most important thing to keep in mind is to do something that furthers your plans for the future.