how taking a gap year prepared me for college (3 myths to ignore 🙅‍♀️)

The speaker took two gap years and is now 22 years old, a sophomore in college. They didn't have peers going through the same experience or anyone to ask questions of, so they learned by trial and error.

Taking a gap year doesn't mean falling behind academically. It offers opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and gaining valuable life experiences. You're not really behind; you're just shifting focus to other areas of your life.

The speaker shares their concern about starting college late and feeling behind classmates due to taking gap years. However, they realize that age is just a construct and maturity level matters more than age in the college experience.

Taking a gap year can increase excitement for college and lead to academic refreshment. It allows for conscientious study techniques, changes priorities, and improves the ability to balance academics with relationships and fun.

EF Gap year offers global experiential education programs for American students ages 18 through 22, including gap year semester and short-term programs. The program includes guided exploration in destinations like Florence, Amsterdam, and New Zealand with trained professional guides. It also covers language and culture immersion (e.g., Japanese or Spanish), business internships, networking opportunities, skill-building experiences as well as service projects related to community development, education empowerment or environmental sustainability.

Taking a gap year prepares you for independence and new experiences in college. It helps with adjusting to different cultures, daily routines, and dealing with difficult situations on your own. The experience builds character and resilience.

Learned to enjoy spending time alone and became better at socializing with new people through solo travel experiences and language exchange meetups.

Taking a gap year develops self-agency by allowing individuals to take control of their decisions and actions. It provides the opportunity to create one's own path, gain confidence, and develop the skills needed for success in university and life.