So you have decided to take a gap year, but you just aren't exactly sure what you might want to do with your time. Here's a list of things worth considering.
1. Visit family and friends.
If you went to college far from home or out of state, now’s the good time to visit your family and spend quality time with them. Remember all of those friends you’ve been meaning to catch up with, but just couldn’t because of school? Now is also the time to do that! Schedule a coffee date or go on a road trip together now that there isn’t schoolwork holding you back.
2. Get a job.
Spending your gap year working is a great way to learn new skills and of course, save up money for when you go back to school. Don’t feel obligated to get a job in the field you are going into; this is your time to experiment.
3. Learn a new language.
Has there been a language you’ve always wanted to learn or brush up your skills on, but it just wasn’t available at your school? Now’s a good time to look for a class at a community college or learning center. You'll not only have time to focus on just one, but also class, but also be able to choose when you want to go rather than depend on if it fits into your class schedule.
4. Travel.
A gap year is an excellent time to spend traveling to another city or country. You won’t have to book your tickets based on when you have holiday breaks, which means that you can find really cheap tickets during off-peak season for flights.
5. Read.
Read! You’ve spent the last four years looking through textbooks and obligatory books for class. During your gap year you can pick up all those fun novels that you’ve wanted to read but just never had the time to.
6. Volunteer.
It can be easy to feel bored when you suddenly have some free time. It would be a good idea to dedicate that free time to a local shelter or hospital. You’ll have a positive experience for sure.
7. Pick up a new hobby.
Yoga? Baking? Train for a marathon? Is there an activity you’ve always wanted to learn or perfect, but just never had the time to? Now you have the time to join a class or watch a tutorial on YouTube. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it will make you happy, you should do it!
8. Intern.
Most internships are 10 hours per week, unpaid and not anywhere near your campus. Doing an internship during your gap year is a good way to gain experience and build up your resume.
9. Learn how to cook.
If you’ve lived on campus all four years or were just always picking up takeout, now’s the time to learn how to really cook. You’re pretty much a real adult now with bills to pay, it will be much better for your budget if you learn how to cook healthy, affordable meals. You won’t always be on the run so take your time in the kitchen to enjoy the process.
10. Visit schools.
If this is the year you are spending applying to graduate school, then it's also good to visit the schools you are taking into consideration and remind yourself what you have to look forward to.
11. Relax.
Relax!
You’ve been in a state of constant stress for the past four years, and you might still be now. You’re previous classmates might already be in the school or job of their choice, and that is great. You shouldn’t be worrying about what others are already doing or not doing. Focus on yourself, take the time to sit back and relax before you go back to working hard again.
