Do you think it’s a good idea for students to take a gap year before attending college?
ABCnews.com
2012/05/14 10:28:10
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7,496 votes
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7,903 votes
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Top Opinion
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Yes, it will give them valuable real world experience.
+12For the record, I picked yes, simply because I believe a break will do you good. The whole real world crap, is a handful of BS. Take a year, clear your head (and your pipes). Then your ready to go and become all super responsible. That way, whoever is paying for your college ( and chances are it isn't you), will not be left feeling like you jilted them, when you drop out from stress. Education is important, but then again, so is sanity.....Just a thought....
it gives people a chaces to think about wha tthey want to do =)
But in saying that, I'm heavy on prepping and relying on dumb luck as little as possible.
I read an interesting article once in Consumer Report on the topic of best colleges. It's premise was centered around a comparison between those colleges/universities with tons of name recognition (and why they were so expensive, largely due to things like pools and tennis courts etc.) versus lesser known, and decidedly less expensive institutions, who offered a better education for a lot less money.
Currently, the political discussion in higher learning actually centers around student debt load, so to me, the question that goes begging then, should center around the student themself and whether they've been given ample opportunity to decide IF college is for them and whether or not, they've had ample opportunity to decide what they wish to do in life regarding their chosen occupation, and where they think that institution is, which is going to grant them that.
Secondly, and just as importantly, DOES everyone have t...
I read an interesting article once in Consumer Report on the topic of best colleges. It's premise was centered around a comparison between those colleges/universities with tons of name recognition (and why they were so expensive, largely due to things like pools and tennis courts etc.) versus lesser known, and decidedly less expensive institutions, who offered a better education for a lot less money.
Currently, the political discussion in higher learning actually centers around student debt load, so to me, the question that goes begging then, should center around the student themself and whether they've been given ample opportunity to decide IF college is for them and whether or not, they've had ample opportunity to decide what they wish to do in life regarding their chosen occupation, and where they think that institution is, which is going to grant them that.
Secondly, and just as importantly, DOES everyone have to go to college? What about two year technical colleges or (gasp!) a trade school? Many people today who attended them are realizing very comparative standards of living to their 4-year counterparts.
But.....who's explaining that to the kids?
Since that article, I've occasionally rolled all that around in my mind, and I came away with my own theories, which include the thought that high schools are meat markets for colleges who need them to send them all this fresh beef to financially support their excesses, which, don't often prepare that student any more than say, a tiny school with no name recognition (and far less bells and whistles) which don't pertain to the quality of an education. Isn't that really what part of what the discussion should be about?
So, maybe taking that year off really isn't the disaster, experts would claim it is, especially when those same people are tied to these institutions.
Points to ponder.....
I do think it's a good idea though, it gives young people a taste of other countries and it can also contribute to openmindedness.
"No earlier than you are ready, but no later than is nescessary." Had I had the drive when I was out of H.S., I would have had free room and board and graduated when I was 21.
I went straight to college; I started out in the Journalism school. By the beginning of my second semester I was dead set on switching majors. And even through second semester, I couldn't decide just which major I wanted to settle on (my roommate was in the same boat; as were two more of my best friends). I finally did decide on one. But now, I've have spent two semesters and several thousand dollars of my and my parents' money, as well as taken on some student loans, taking classes that it turns out I won't need anymore. It's a good idea to take a year to sort things out in your head. And who ...
I went straight to college; I started out in the Journalism school. By the beginning of my second semester I was dead set on switching majors. And even through second semester, I couldn't decide just which major I wanted to settle on (my roommate was in the same boat; as were two more of my best friends). I finally did decide on one. But now, I've have spent two semesters and several thousand dollars of my and my parents' money, as well as taken on some student loans, taking classes that it turns out I won't need anymore. It's a good idea to take a year to sort things out in your head. And who knows? You can maybe even work to help ease the burden of the cost; or, apply for an internship and gain some experience so you'll be ahead of the curve. Just be honest with yourself; and don't rush into things without truly stopping to think about it. That is never a good idea.
I myself am taking a year off -- but this mostly to help out my family with the bills. But for me, if I rushed right back into school I'd have a mental breakdown before the end of the first semester of my Freshman year. I'm using that year to have better control of my emotions, including how I can work under pressure. That way I won't be so overwhelmed after I get my degree.
This path isn't for everyone, of course. It has its pros and cons. But it's something that should be given a lot of thought if you plan on taking a year off.