Recently, it is acknowledged that instead of pursuing a study career after high school, some students choose to take a gap year to work and travel. From my perspective, even though there are still some detriments that exist, I believe that the trend is beneficial overall.
On the one hand, there are myriad drawbacks of taking a gap year. First and foremost, taking a gap year can be extremely expensive. Without careful budgeting, one might come into financial constraints. For example, a student who wants to travel during his gap year has to spend a quality amount of money in order to satisfy his demand for traveling. Second, pupils may lose academic momentum. After high school, individuals are accustomed to tasks, assignments and also examinations that schools offer. Therefore, even one year of dropping out of school can lead to a loss of academic knowledge, making it stressful for students when coming back to study.
On the other hand, I would argue that taking a gap year has several benefits. The first advantage is the chance to navigate the world outside. Despite having to study, students can take advantage of a gap year to travel and explore around, broadening not only their horizons but also their social knowledge. The other positive aspect is that students can open their network of friends. By travelling, students can create a number of social bonds with many people from different cultures. As a result, students could be exposed to new cultures as well as learn more traditional viewpoints from alternative nations. Another point worth mentioning is that pupils can develop useful life skills such as teamworking, communication, or even leadership skills, making them even more well-rounded.
In conclusion, while taking a gap year has some negative impact on individuals, it seems to me that its positive influence is more significant.