I Just Don't Get The Whole Gap Year Argument
August 10th 2009 23:55
Gap Year - a chance to get life experiences - really?
Better known as a gap year it is also known as year abroad, year out, year off, deferred year, bridging year, time off and time out and refers to a prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between the so-called 'life stage'.
Unfortunately I just don't get the need for it!
OK - so most popular gap years are taken between the last year of High School and the the first year of university or college - although it's starting to become commonplace to see similar between college starting a profession.
But why the need?
Don't even start to tell me that those final two years of high school are now so mentally torturing that students need a 12 month break to re-couperate before taking on their next challenge in life.
Sure it's hardly a walk in the park - but the way students (and many parents now talk) - the 'gap year' is almost a done deal - a Year 13 in essence - the accepted norm.
Perhaps the populus as a whole should start to engage in similar.
Pre or post marriage, having a first child, career change and pre or post retirement - in fact you could just about get away with any or all of the above if you use the same rationale as students who feel that 12 months travelling the Greek Isles, Britain, the US or backpacking around Australia affords invaluable 'life experiences' - yeah right - get some life experience about 'toughing it out' on public transport day in day out to and from an office starting at the bottom of the dung heap and working your way up.
Old fashioned?
Perhaps?
Out of touch - certainly those who think they have it tougher now than 20 years will tell you so.
Mind you - I guess some of us are just adjusting to the new ways of the world - in the same fashion as we had to endure tales of walking 10 miles to school with a sheep under each arm in pouring rain each day - only to suffer the indignity of receiving the cane for indecretions from inhumane teachers, before walking home another 10 miles that afternoon to catch your own dinner and work at a part time job and getting your homework done and bed.
The times they are a changin'
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Comment by teiku
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I've spoken with many people who spent a year or two off between HS and college and even those who did little more than 'hang out' also found they were better focused when they were back in school, since they had burned off whatever needs they had for bachanalia before that affected their education and GPA's
Comment by Morgan Bell
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the HSC is insane now, if you take it seriously (which i did) you will be chained to a desk with no social life for 18 months
i never took a "gap year"
i think its a rich kid think to do, jetting about Europe or South America on daddy's credit card
but maybe if i took a gap year then i wouldnt be be taking a gap decade now?
Comment by Brandon 2
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In high school, teenagers are forced to decide on one career path, and the path they originally chose is usually not the best one for them or the one they actually pursue in college. The gap year gives people time to decide what they'd actually like to do for the rest of their life. It's the biggest decision of a teenagers life, and I think one year to decide your fate is not too much to ask.
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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OMG . . . better focused! Burned off whatever needs they had for bachanalia before it 'affected' their education?
Heaven help us . . . I'm sorry - no sympathy for those poor cherubs and their inability to focus.
On the other hand teiku - your ideals seem somewhat better placed.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Chained to a desk for 18 months is unhealthy for anyone - but even in the days before microwave ovens and mobile phones (yes these did exist) I recall my HSC study timetable (without the assistance of computers and the 'net' of course) meant cramming in library visits, handwriting and typing my own essays and revisions in between 4-6pm and hour for dinner and family time - then back to the books between 7-11.
Weekends consisted whatever it took.
LOL about your gap decade though . . . very funny.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Good luck with your senior school studies.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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You and Morgan crack me up.
Stay well
Comment by Brandon 2
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Well if you're going to be like that, nice try on spelling 'argument' in the title.
I was just trying to add to to the discussion, but I realize I shouldn't have even wasted my time.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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BTW - Pity to think that a job no matter what - is below anyone.
Good to see you have your time management in place though - given the work load you still have time to maintain what appears to be seven blogs as part of the Orble community alone.
Comment by Brandon 2
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Well, it is summer so I have nothing better to do. Pity to think that a writer no matter what - is below anyone.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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You're a good sport.
Always nice to throw burley out sometimes to see which fish bite.
Enjoy your summer break.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i did a lot of math and physics all on pen and paper, i even did engineering drawing (drafting) with wooden t-square, a compass, and triangles
i went to a public school and had working class parents, i did not really learn to use a computer until i went to uni