So today actually marks the first official day of my gap year! I've been so excited to start this year and to see where God leads me.
After graduating, everyone (literally everyone) asks you what your plans are. I literally answered this question a billion times this summer from every single family member. Taking a gap year really wasn't that big of a decision for me.
During senior year, I constantly felt overwhelmed by the idea of college and what I really wanted to do with myself and what God had planned for me. Now add a billion homework assignments, essays, APs, various projects, no sleep and a lovely 10 page paper + presentation of my choice in order to graduate. I didn't have the time, nor wanted to think about college. To be honest, I have no idea how my classmates managed with all of that plus figuring out their lives, choosing schools, applications, loans blahblahblah.
So gap year it was. And to be honest, I'm really glad with this decision because a) leaving home at age 17 isn't really my cup of tea (even though my older sister did that - but she actually had the motivation, I do not) and b) leaving mother dearest didn't sound pleasing at that moment #sorrynotsorryforbeingthelastkid
So I'm going to use this year to explore all the options I have, immerse myself with internships, grow deeper in my relationship with God, learn new things, brush up on all the languages I speak, re-visit my passion for music and really just see where God leads me.
Hopefully by next year this time, everything will come together by His grace. I'm so excited. There's so many opportunities and so many things to do.
I've written down some goals that I want to meet by the end of this year.
- Do at least two internships
- Get healthy [workout & eat right]
- Get involved with music [violin, piano, flute]
- Improve photography skills
- Be consistent in everything [walk with Jesus, taking care of mum]
- Be adventurous!
I think these are some pretty meet-able goals. The last three are slightly vague, but I'll work on it! Whether you're still in high school, beginning your freshman year in college or are currently in college, I wish you all the best with every single thing this year!
linking up here
girl what a great decision! honestly I'm a rising junior and I am envious of people who have taken time off to figure a few more things out before throwing themselves right into college. sounds like you're going to have a great year!
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Thank you Ms. Austen! I didn't see why I had to rush into college right away :3
DeleteI love that you knew what you wanted to do and did it. I think there are more people who need to take a gap year. I know a lot of people who either don't like their university program and wish they hadn't rushed into post-secondary right after high school. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ms. Marisa! In my senior year, there was this feeling of being literally pushed into universities right away, instead of trying to figure out what I wanted to do! There wasn't really a lot of encouragement to take gap years or even ideas on what to do during it. :/ Thank you again!
DeleteWow, I'm so excited for you!! What freedom and adventures will you be able to experience! I think it's a good decision to take a gap year and truly find some of the things you are passionate about. Proud of you!
ReplyDeleteMs. Gina, you can't imagine how excited I am! Thanks so much for the support! :D
DeleteIt's definitely a hard decision to make to take that year off. I couldn't have done it, because I knew I'd never go. It's always different strokes for different folks. I'm glad that you are feeling less overwhelmed and are able to use this time to think about what you really want to do.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand where you're coming from! A lot of people feel the same way. Thank you so much for the lovely comment!
DeleteI'm a senior this year, and I totally understand what you felt! I have no idea where I'm going to college next year or even whether I want to go rght away or take a year off. I'm just really focusing on paying attention to what God wants and following that!
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Allie! In my opinion, it's okay NOT to know what the future holds, because God has it all under control [Jeremiah 29:11] I'm so glad you're focusing on paying attention to what God wants! I wish you all the best this year!
DeleteI understand the feeling. Nice piece and good luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anon! :)
Deletei took 3 consecutive gap years & worked full time and traveled. it was a nice break & it wasn't hard to go back to school after that. it was actually easier because i had matured some & refreshed!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sending a friend of mine your blog... she's a senior in high school and is trying to figure out what to do. I told her to take a gap year!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ms. Meg :) Send her over!
DeleteNow you'll know what it's like to homeschool! Just hanging around and learning little bits here and there, but at the same time keeping good grades. It's the best thing in the world, I'm telling you. I'm in 10th grade (class 10), and I've been homeschooling since 3rd grade, so yeah. Btw, why do you have to go away from home in order to do colledge, have you considered online at all? That's what the majority of homeschoolers do....
ReplyDeleteHey Anon! Oh wow, I actually never thought of it like being home schooled! I've actually thought about doing online courses, but I honestly havent looked at it seriously! Maybe I should aye? Thank you so much for the suggestion! and thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteGap years are great! I moved to England to be an au pair during mine! I love that you have a list of goals for your year, good luck, I am sure you will get them all done!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for linking up with Jack of All Trades!
I did this too after high school. But, I wasn't focused during the year break and kinda just worked and played! ha. But I absolutely needed it! Good for you in not letting yourself be pressured to go straight to college!
ReplyDeleteYou know what's better than a gap year? A gap two years, heh. Diggin' your blog!
ReplyDeleteMs. Jacqueline, don't let my mom hear you say that! Thanks so much for visiting! :)
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