Choosing other activities as working or traveling after completing a high school program and beginning pursuing tertiary education is very common in the modern world. A gap year would certainly bring advantages, but there are also inevitable disadvantages.
On the one hand, there are a number of benefits to choosing other activities instead of going to university. Firstly, students would be taught how to improve personal growth and maturity through working and traveling because of their practical situations. For example, starting their first part-time job as a waiter could help them enhance their soft skills such as time management, financial management, and problem-solving abilities. Dealing with real-life activities would make them more mature and independent in their families, as well as support them a lot in their growth. Another beneficial aspect of taking a break before pursuing academic knowledge is that it might enhance their study performance. After the tension of cramming for the university entrance exam, which makes the students more exhausted, having a break may help them reduce stress and alleviate their continuous pressure. Therefore, when they are willing to start their academic journey, they will have the motivation and determination to achieve their new milestone.
On the other hand, taking a year off before enrolling in university programs also has its shortcomings that impact many students negatively. The primary issue is the financial strain that arises when an undergraduate invests the necessary funds for their experience. For example, they might accrue debt to fund travel if they don’t have any preparation for the trip, which would cause additional pressure on them to pay debt when they finish this journey. Furthermore, a gap year might disrupt academic momentum, leading to difficulties in adapting back to structured education. For instance, they would struggle to re-arrange their academic routines after a long break, so they could face a range of barriers to achieving a higher score at first.
In conclusion, having a break before university has both advantages and disadvantages. Although this experience gives students a chance to grow and mature, as well as motivation for the next academic year, a gap year might cause some challenges in finance and academic disruption.