Ep 98 - Should You Take a Gap Year After Year 12?
Is taking a gap year after Year 12 a good idea? Should you still apply through VTAC? And what should you actually do during a gap year?
After 13 years of school, it's completely understandable to want a break before starting university, TAFE or another form of further study.
But deciding whether to take a gap year can feel like a big decision.
You might be wondering:
Should I go straight to university or take a year off?
Will taking a gap year put me behind?
Should I still apply through VTAC if I don't want to start studying straight away?
Can I defer my university place?
What should I do during a gap year?
Will I lose my study habits if I take a year off?
What if I don't know what I want to study yet?
In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I look at the benefits and drawbacks of taking a gap year after Year 12, and how you can keep your options open while giving yourself some time to work out what you want to do next.
What is a gap year?
A gap year is a period of time between finishing secondary school and starting further study or another stage of your education or career.
For some students, a gap year is planned well in advance. For others, it happens because they haven't found the right course yet, they want to work or travel, or they simply don't feel ready to start further study straight after Year 12.
There isn't one "right" way to take a gap year.
The important question is whether you're using the time in a way that is useful and meaningful for you.
What are the benefits of taking a gap year?
There are plenty of good reasons why a student might choose to take a year off after Year 12.
1. You can take a break from studying
After 13 years of school, you may simply want some time away from formal education.
Taking a break can give you an opportunity to rest, reset and do things that aren't possible when you're juggling school and VCE.
There's nothing inherently wrong with wanting a break before starting another several years of study.
2. You can travel
A gap year can provide an opportunity to travel, experience different cultures and see more of the world.
Some students may travel independently, while others might combine travel with work or structured programs.
For example, working overseas through programs such as Camp America can allow you to travel while also gaining work and life experience.
3. You can earn money
Working during a gap year can help you save money for university, TAFE, travel, accommodation or other goals.
A full-time job can also give you experience of the working world and help you develop skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility and time management.
4. You can explore careers
A gap year can be particularly useful if you're unsure about what you want to study.
Rather than choosing a university course simply because you feel like you should start one straight away, you could use your year to explore different careers and industries.
You might try working in an area you're interested in and discover that you love it—or discover that it's definitely not for you.
Both are useful outcomes.
What are the drawbacks of taking a gap year?
A gap year isn't automatically the best choice for everyone.
There are some potential downsides worth considering.
You might lose some of your study habits
If you spend a year working or travelling without doing any formal study, getting back into the routine of lectures, assignments, exams and regular study can take some adjustment.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't take a gap year. It simply means you may need to be intentional about getting back into study mode when you eventually return to education.
You might feel like you're falling behind
It can be difficult when your friends start university while you're taking a different path.
You might feel like everyone else is moving forward while you're standing still.
But taking a gap year doesn't mean you're behind. People take different paths through education and their careers, and starting a course a year later doesn't mean you're less successful.
You may be studying with younger students
When you eventually start university or TAFE, some of the students in your cohort may have come straight from Year 12.
That can feel strange at first, but a one-year age difference is unlikely to be particularly significant once you're all studying together.
And you may find that having a little more life experience is actually an advantage.
You might find it harder to return to study
This is one of the concerns I hear from parents.
A student may intend to take one year off and then return to study, but after a year of earning money, travelling or enjoying life without assignments, they may find the idea of going back to studying difficult.
That's why it's worth thinking about what you want your gap year to achieve before you start it.
Should you still apply through VTAC if you're planning a gap year?
In many cases, I recommend keeping your options open and applying.
If you're in Year 12 and thinking about taking a gap year, don't automatically assume that you shouldn't apply for courses through VTAC.
Depending on the course and institution, you may be able to receive an offer and then defer your place while you take your gap year.
However, deferral rules aren't the same for every course. Some courses don't allow deferral, or have specific conditions, so you need to check the current information for the course you're applying for.
There can also be practical advantages to making your applications while you're still at school.
You still have access to resources such as:
Your school's careers team
Teachers and other school staff
Help with VTAC applications
Support for Equity Schemes and Scholarships applications (formerly SEAS)
Scholarship information and applications
People who can help you research courses and pathways
Once you've left school, you may not have the same level of support available.
What should you do during a gap year?
A gap year doesn't have to be filled with one big adventure.
It can be a combination of different things.
You might:
Work and save money
Travel
Volunteer
Try different jobs
Explore potential careers
Complete short courses or training
Develop a new skill
Get your driver's licence
Spend time with family and friends
Take some time to work out what you actually want to do next
The key is to avoid thinking of a gap year as simply "doing nothing for a year."
You don't need to have every month planned, but having some goals can make the year much more valuable.
What if I don't know what I want to study?
You don't have to choose a university course simply because everyone else is choosing one.
If you're genuinely unsure about what you want to study, a gap year can give you some breathing space to explore your options.
However, I'd encourage you to use the time deliberately.
Try different things. Talk to people who work in careers you're considering. Get some work experience. Research courses. Think about what you enjoy and what you're good at.
The goal isn't necessarily to emerge from your gap year with your entire career mapped out.
It's to have more information than you had when you finished Year 12.
So, should you take a gap year?
There isn't a universal right or wrong answer.
A gap year can be a fantastic opportunity to rest, travel, earn money, gain work experience and explore possible careers.
But it's worth thinking about why you want to take one and what you hope to get out of it.
If you're considering a gap year, my biggest piece of advice is:
Plan now, decide later.
You don't have to be 100% certain about what you want to do. But put some options in place while you're still at school so that you don't accidentally close doors simply because you're unsure.
Research courses. Apply through VTAC if appropriate. Check whether your preferred course allows deferral. Talk to your school careers team. Then you can take your gap year knowing you've kept your options open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good idea to take a gap year after Year 12?
A gap year can be a great option if you have a reason for taking it and a plan for how you want to use the time. It can provide opportunities to travel, work, earn money, explore careers or simply take a break before further study.
Will taking a gap year put me behind?
No. Starting university or TAFE a year later doesn't mean you're behind. People take different pathways through education and their careers, and a gap year can provide valuable work, travel and life experience.
Should I still apply through VTAC if I'm taking a gap year?
It's worth considering. Depending on the course and institution, you may be able to receive an offer and defer your place. Deferral isn't available for every course, so check the current rules for the specific course you're interested in.
Can you defer a university course for a gap year?
Most courses allow students to defer an offer, while others don't or have specific conditions. Always check the current deferral rules for the particular course and institution before relying on deferral as part of your gap-year plan.
What should I do during a gap year?
You could work, travel, volunteer, gain work experience, explore different careers, develop new skills or complete short courses. You don't need to fill every day with productive activities, but having some goals can help you get more from the year.
Will I lose my study skills if I take a gap year?
You may need some time to get back into the routine of studying after a year away from formal education. This is something to be aware of rather than a reason to automatically avoid taking a gap year.
What if I don't know what I want to study after Year 12?
A gap year can give you time to explore your options rather than rushing into a course you're not sure about. Use the year to gain experience, talk to people in different careers and research courses so that you can make a more informed decision.
Is a gap year a waste of time?
Not necessarily. A gap year can be extremely valuable if you use it to rest, gain experience, earn money, travel or explore your future. The value comes from what you do with the time, not simply from whether you start university immediately after Year 12.
Will I be older than everyone else at university if I take a gap year?
You may be a year older than some students who come straight from Year 12, but this is unlikely to be significant once you're studying together. University cohorts include people of many different ages and backgrounds.
Links mentioned:
Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services