Things to consider for a gap year after high school

If you're planning to take a gap year after high school, what are some productive things you can do during that time? I'm thinking about travel, volunteering, internships, or learning new skills. What options are there?

Taking a gap year after high school can be an exciting opportunity to pursue interests outside the traditional academic setting, grow as an individual, and gather valuable experiences. Here's a list of different paths you could consider:

1. Volunteering: Engaging in community service or charitable work is a productive use of time during a gap year. It allows you to give back, learn new skills, and gain perspective. Programs like AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity, and City Year offer structured volunteer experiences, both domestically and internationally.

2. Internships or Part-time Jobs: An internship in a field of your interest could provide valuable work experience, networking opportunities, and a clearer picture of what you might want to study in college. Part-time jobs can also help in building work ethic and independence.

3. Travel: Exploring different cultures, learning a new language, or simply experiencing life outside of your comfort zone is a great utilization of a gap year. Programs like GapYear, EF Gap Year, and Rustic Pathways specialize in providing these kinds of opportunities.

4. Directed Study or Skill Development: If there's a particular field of study you're interested in or a skill you want to cultivate (like coding, writing, or photography), a gap year could be a good time to explore these interests. Taking related online courses, joining industry-specific clubs or societies, or finding a mentor in the field can help you with this.

5. Entrepreneurial Efforts: If you have an idea for a product or service, using this time to start a small business or launch a start-up could be rewarding. It can offer hands-on experience with business development, marketing, and finance.

6. Outdoor Education: Programs such as Outward Bound or National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) offer immersive outdoor education experiences, often involving backpacking, sailing, kayaking, and wilderness survival skills.

Remember, whatever you decide, it's important that the activities you engage in are meaningful to you and your future. They should provide personal growth, broaden your experiences, and ideally give you skills that will be useful in college and beyond. Finally, be sure to communicate your intentions to the colleges you're interested in, as gap year plans can sometimes affect your admissions status.