There are more and more high-school students opting for having a gap year after graduation before pursuing higher education. Although there are some pronounced disadvantages regarding this trend, I genuinely contend that they are overshadowed by its considerable benefits.
One of the most glaring drawbacks of taking a gap year following high-school graduation is that it requires students’ strong determination and confidence. This is because many parents, in Vietnam for example, tend to want their children to immediately attend university education after they graduate, which is likely to spark family conflicts regarding such an important decision. In this case, the students need to persuade their parents to accept their choice by showing their self-assurance. Another problem is that students taking a gap year tend to fall behind and have to work hard in an attempt to keep up with their peers at university. The students need to be both mentally and physically prepared for a new education level.
However, I believe the aforementioned downsides are outweighed by the following remarkable upsides of taking a gap year. First, students are more equipped with essential soft-skills when they go traveling or have a job, such as working in a team, problem-solving, critical thinking and so on. These would greatly facilitate their tertiary education. Moreover, such hands-on experiences would provide them a chance of self-discovery, which means they become more aware of themselves, including their interests, strengths as well as weaknesses. With an insight into themselves, they are more likely to choose an appropriate major for their higher education, eventually promoting their job prospects and living standards. Last, attaining income from having a job would help reduce their parents’ financial burden and support their further study.
In conclusion, I argue that taking a gap year could do more good than harm, including gaining soft skills, self-insight, as well as financial support.