Not everyone decides to go to college or enter the workforce as soon as they graduate from high school. What are the top reasons for taking a gap year?

Answer:

1. Gain life experience and personal growth
2. Travel, see the world, experience other cultures
3. Take a break from traditional academic track

Questions:

1. How important do you think it is to save money for a gap year during high school?
2. What are some trade-offs involved with taking a gap year versus entering the workforce or college?
3. Would you ever consider taking a gap year after graduating from high school? Explain why or why not.

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

Behind the numbers (Gap Year Association):

"Over a third (35%) of respondents expressed feeling burnt out and wanting to take a break from school to be a central motivating factor for taking a gap year, which was also reported in 2015 NAS. Only 12% of GYA respondents cited their parents and peers’ encouragement as a central motivating factor for taking a gap year. Even fewer cited encouragement from colleges (3%) and high school staff (2%) as a driving force to participate in a gap year experience. Encouragement from others was also not a
primary motivating factor for those who participated in the 2015 NAS."

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Check out the Alternatives to 4-Year Colleges unit for more resources centered around options for graduating seniors!

About the Author

Dave Martin

Dave joins NGPF with 15 years of teaching experience in math and computer science. After joining the New York City Teaching Fellows program and earning a Master's degree in Education from Pace University, his teaching career has taken him to New York, New Jersey and a summer in the north of Ghana. Dave firmly believes that financial literacy is vital to creating well-rounded students that are prepared for a complex and highly competitive world. During what free time two young daughters will allow, Dave enjoys video games, Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, gardening, and taking naps.