Taking a gap year after Year 12?

With the 2019 HSC done and dusted, the next big decision many students face is the thought of taking a gap year after high school.

Now that you’ve completed the HSC, the reality is that a huge chapter of your life is now slowly closing. Take the next few months between the end of the HSC and the start of the new year to think about what you want to achieve over the next few years.

One of the most stressful parts of your schooling life has been completed, and some students often need a break before jumping into tertiary study for the next 3-5 years. After speaking to our past Year 12 students, we have compiled a few reasons why you should consider taking a gap year after high school:

Take a break

If you think about it, this is your first real break in 12 years of schooling. Jumping straight from high school to university is not only a huge leap, but it’s also a different way of studying which you will need to adjust to. This can also be more demanding if you plan to commence your tertiary studies interstate or even in another country!

A gap year is a great option since you can accept your university offer, defer it for a year, then use the opportunity to travel or work before you commence your studies over the next year. We recommend that you check if your preferred university course can be deferred, since some require an immediate start.

See the world

Taking a gap year often means many things, and for many students this is travel. This is your chance to see the world and make amazing memories that will prove to be invaluable to your life.

There are many different companies offering gap year travel specials, so you can maximise your time (and money) while still making the most of your free time over the next year.

RELATED: How Does HSC Scaling Work For Year 12 Students?

Do what’s right for you

You might be tempted to go with the flow of your friends and feel pressured to commence your undergraduate degree ASAP – but this doesn’t mean you should follow your friends. Take this opportunity to decide what you want the next year of your life to look like; if you can’t imagine studying immediately. If you want to work and study at the same time without becoming overwhelmed, you can always enrol in your university course on a part-time basis and also start looking for a part-time job to balance it all out.

Get to work

You can also gain experience by working or volunteering in an area of study which directly correlates to your desired university course or future career. Plus, this is a fantastic way to build up your resume with similar qualifications and industry knowledge which relate to your future degree.

If you are planning to defer your university studies, there are a few things to think about:

How long can you defer? It depends on your course and the university you’re planning to attend, but on average most will allow you to defer for up to 1 year.

If I defer, does that mean I forego my scholarship? Most scholarships don’t allow students to defer. In these types of situations, the decision is often made for you, and taking a gap year isn’t really an option. We recommend going through the terms and conditions of your scholarship with a fine tooth comb, just in case you don’t make a mistake which will jeopardise your academic choices.

If you are still interested in travelling, there are ways around this – by taking part in a university exchange program. This way, you can still travel whilst studying and not feel like you’re missing out anything! Again, we recommend doing your research on which universities and programs offer exchange, and if you can fulfil the requirements of the program.

Still in Year 11 and need an extra push to complete that last year of high school? Check out our FREE 2-week trial today at Talent 100 and make your talent count. Click here to find out more information about our HSC tuition centres in Epping, Chatswood, Burwood, Hurstville and the Sydney CBD.