The concept of taking a year off before starting university has garnered a significant attention in contemporary society, prompting discussions widely. This essay aims at providing a comprehensive analysis and exploration of both pros and cons of this issue.
Admittedly, there are some advantages to this idea. First of all, having a gap before starting university gives an opportunity to teenagers to do different activities such as travelling, working at a coffee shop, or starting new business and by doing them, firstly, students unwind and rejuvenate after tiring school year and, secondly, get wider circle of friends, huge hands-on experience, and communication skills as they face with a number of people from distinct views and psychologies. For instance, according to a survey conducted by the University of Cambridge in 2018, a vast majority of juveniles was inclined to be extrovert and polite in interaction with others, and many of them showed great skills in handling challenging situations regarding business and accounting. What is more, teenagers can travel before the start of academic year to explore the world and have time to decide about the future life and their part in society.
Nevertheless, there are some drawbacks of this approach. The most noteworthy disadvantage is, apparently, hardships associated with adaptation to the studies and remembering all the courses had been studied at school. A shining example of this situation is my friend James who took a year off and experienced difficulties with remembering all the math and physics formulas and theorems that he needed to know at university. Furthermore, after experiencing the excitement that working or running a business gives, a lot of students are reluctant to start their studies again as they feel more comfortable doing certain types of activities. For instance, according to a recent study conducted in the USA, 68% of students preferred to continue working or doing the job that they find the most suitable for themselves.
In conclusion, this essay provided an insight into both perspectives, offering examples to provide a balanced understanding of both pros and cons of this issue.