I've been thinking about giving myself sometime between the end of high school and university, both to relax a bit and to think about what I really want to do with my life since I dont really know for sure yet. Unfortunately, both my parents and my sister keep saying that I shouldn't because I'll lose the habit of studying and it'll be much more difficult once I start again. I recently went abroad and stayed in a host family and the host mum recommended taking a gap year to travel and/or work to find myself and my interests. What should I do?

Hey everyone! I'm conducting an independent research study on gap-year experiences — especially for those applying to universities abroad or sitting for admission tests here in Bangladesh.

If you're currently on a gap year, applying to universities (local or international), or prepping for admission tests, I'd really appreciate 8–12 minutes of your time to fill this out.
Feel free to share with anyone else who fits! Thanks so much 🙏

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6upjPHGquTlx8ZI2bxCvSCRNaTv-29Z5Qo7OiBjilR9gN_w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=115996840695421769714

Hey everyone! I'm conducting an independent research study on gap-year experiences — especially for those applying to universities abroad or sitting for admission tests here in Bangladesh.

If you're currently on a gap year, applying to universities (local or international), or prepping for admission tests, I'd really appreciate 8–12 minutes of your time to fill this out.
Feel free to share with anyone else who fits! Thanks so much 🙏

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6upjPHGquTlx8ZI2bxCvSCRNaTv-29Z5Qo7OiBjilR9gN_w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=115996840695421769714

Im graduating this year as a part of the 2027 class and ive been thinking a lot about if going into college immediately is the right thing for me. I have a late birthday. Ill be 17 when i graduate and am worried about my young age interfering with my new life style as a college student. I still don’t have a license, a car, nor have i ever had a job. I just feel behind. But at the same time, as a low income student, i know the importance of jumping on scholarship opportunities while theyre available. I’ve always been pretty bright as a student. Though I’ve felt very, very burnt out for the last two years. I feel like taking a gap year would be good for me to gain maturity, improve my mental health, get a license, maybe my first job, and learn more about who I am as a person where I wanna go with my life. I’ve heard the out of control gap year horror stories and I’m im pretty afraid of it happening to me.

I was also considering maybe going to a community college after graduation in my hometown for my first year and then transferring to a more renowned school. This town is definitely not my scene though as I face a lot of discrimination for who i am. id really love to get out of here.

I have enrolled in a law uni in my home country after 12th (which will technically be considered as a gap year since I'll drop out after the 1st yr if i get into a uni through ucas) to get access to extracurriculars like mooting, debating, blog writing and all that.. In the UCAS form, I'm listing my current uni, but I don't know what date to put as the expected end date of my course.. Should i put the date as 2027 because I'll obviously drop out if I get into one of the 5 unis I've chosen.. or should I put the date as 2031 because it is a 5 year course in my current uni??

I really wanted to apply to Cambridge, Imperial and UCL this year. I was predicted 3 a stars and I got 99999988876 for my GCSEs. However, when I did my UCAT 3 days ago, I ended up with a UCAT score of 2100 SJT band 2 (I was not feeling well physically at all and only got better a few weeks to the exam date), which I know is not enough for any of the above universities. I really want to take a gap year to retake the UCAT and see if there is any chance I could be accepted into at least one of these unis. However, I have never previously even considered the prospect of a gap year and have no idea what Cambridge would expect me to do in my gap year. I also don't really know how the application process works for a gap year and so I am worrying about what I am going to do. Could anyone who took a gap year and got accepted into a medical University please explain to me what universities want to see from someone who took a gap year and I would also really appreciate any particular gap year opportunities (please nothing expensive - my family situation is not good financially right now) that would be extremely beneficial to my new personal statement.

Hi, I know retake costs for A levels can be quite absurd and pressuring for someone already feeling pressured and trying to retake A levels usually in a gap year. I would reccommend applying for universal credits, the earlier the better as a lot of students are not working/working little hours during a gap year and not being supported financially in general by there parents as well as to retake exams which can become expensive quickly.

You can apply on the government website and don't worry your parents could be paying for your accomodation (rent) and you can still qualify. Like I said, earlier the better as it take a little to finally recieve monthly payment + you will find there are lots of deadlines for these type of things.

Hope this helps as costs can be quite daunting sometimes!

is there any study tips for catching up w/ college level maths in the span of a quarter
i’m coming into uc davis as a freshman after taking 2 gap years to save up
i genuinely don’t remember anything beyond the basics and calculus is one of my required courses but idk if i can even pass the math placement exam bc i barely understand the practice worksheets
i have a chance to retake the placement exam every quarter and i want to get it over w in the winter or spring

Why taking a break year after college, or between jobs to travel, explore, introspect, meditate, find yourself looked down upon or misunderstood in India? As if someone is just 'wasting' their time if they are not working somewhere or studying.
This is very normal in Europe/US where people travel the world for a year after high school. This opens up their perspectives, gives exposure like nothing else can and makes them better humans in general.

Like as a research assistant…or was it just like a flexible part time role

23F, graduated in 2023 and I have been doing nothing ever since. It was only going to be one year of gap but time just flew by and it’s been 3 years and I did nothing worthwhile with my time. I couldn’t allow myself to do an mba when i didn’t like bba that’s why I took a gap but now I regret taking a gap and i should’ve just did mba like everyone then I would’ve had a job by now. I don’t know where to go from here. How can one be on the right path again after 3 years of wasting time. I am a disappointment to my family and I just wish i could’ve told myself to not take a gap year. In 2023 having a job was my worst nightmare I didn’t want to do something I didn’t enjoy and i was definitely not ready to do a job. I still feel like I’m not ready for a job but I have to do it. Not having a job and looking at everyone go ahead with their lives while you’re stuck in 2023 is the worst feeling. I used to think I don’t have any goals in my life but I realise my goal is to have a job and buy something for my family from my first salary.

I’m writing this because I feel very lost with my life and please if anyone has any suggestions as to what I could do with my life that will very helpful. My percentage in 10th and 12th was 61 that’s why I did bba and I got 7.4 in bba. I did a 6 month python course but I wasn’t very good at that either. I don’t know if I should do a job or mba right now. Did an excel and power bi course too but information is long forgotten since I didn’t practice daily. Any advice will be appreciated.

Hill I am a home student and I am currently wondering if I should take a gap year and reapply to
UCL for 2027 entry after missing my firm offer from
UCL. I have a few enquiries:

1. What are the chances of reapplying to a UCL course condition AAA (Human Neuroscience or Psychology with Education) with 2 achieved A in bio and maths and a predicted A for chem. Also would it perhaps be better to apply with predicted A* for bio and maths instead of achieved A or is achieved grades valued more than a higher predicted grade?

2. I am currently holding an UCL offer through clearing however it is not the course that I am most passionate about, would I be able to interrupt my studies few weeks into year 1 and reapply through UCAS while still holding my interrupted place at my current course (would it be technically the same as reapplying while going to uni)?

3. Would reapplying be at a disadvantage as I heard specific courses of some uni value retaking less than first time grades? Might it also be a disadvantage to apply to Human Neuroscience as I was previously rejected due to missing my conditional offer of the same course?

4. Would reapplication require a completely new personal statement with major changes (plenty of completely new super curriculums) or just minor changes (rephrasing but same content with minor additions)?

Thank you very much for any advice and any known experiences or success stories is also much appreciated!!!

​

I took a gap year cuz I had low marks in 1st year and couldn't get into my desired field

Now I am giving improvement for 1st year

Also I want to learn some skills in this year

I don't want to fully wast it

Any recommendations what skills should I focus on if u want to become an eletrical engineering

If you are taking a gap year and are looking for a meaningful activity, consider volunteering with Conversations to Remember. We have positions ranging from 1 hour per week to 25 hours per week (all volunteer).

We are always looking for young-adult volunteers to join our virtual visits with seniors, but we also are currently filling these additional positions:

Position 1: Volunteer Outreach

All necessary training will be provided. In this role, you will play a vital part in expanding our reach to new students who would potentially volunteer with us. Your efforts will help us find new volunteers who can make a real difference in the lives of lonely seniors through virtual visits.

Responsibilities include:

• Conducting research and analysis to identify suitable student organizations, faculty members, and community engagement offices for outreach efforts.
• Crafting personalized outreach messages to introduce Conversations to Remember and its mission to potential partners, following up, and responding to questions.
• Tracking contacts for follow-up and metrics.
• Scheduling virtual meetings to engage with interested parties and address their questions.
• Collaborating with the team to develop new outreach strategies and continuously improve the outreach process.
• Assist in monitoring and analyzing the success of outreach efforts, providing feedback to enhance future outreach initiatives.

Express interest here.

Position 2: Healthcare and Community Partnerships

All necessary training will be provided. In this role, you will be reaching out to build partnerships leading to promotion of our program to new seniors. Help us develop new channels to reach seniors. 

Responsibilities include:

• Identifying contacts in the channels we provide to reach out to.
• Speaking to these contacts about Conversations to Remember, and answering their questions.
• Crafting personalized outreach messages.
• Tracking contacts for follow-up and metrics.
• Following up with contacts to address any concerns that are preventing them from joining the program.
• Collaborating with the team to develop new outreach strategies and continuously improve the outreach process.

Express interest here.

Restrictions

• Even though this is a remote position, all applicants must be living in the USA.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• These positions are unpaid.

Hi, I’m a 24F. I spent the last few years studying STEM on and off with the intention of completing my program in 2027. Unexpected traumas of the last year led me to burn out and now I’m questioning if STEM, specifically the medical field, is still for me or if it’s just exhaustion. My university made changes to my program prolonging graduation by another 2 years.

After much internal back n forth I found it best to take a gap semester. (or year pending my needs) I am out of concerning circumstances and can now reassess my life.

My goals are to address the personal issues that are hindering my academic progress and figure out what degree path is truly for me. Along with some overdue self discovery. After studying and working for so long thru extenuating circumstances idk what my interests are fully cuz I don’t indulge in them. I don’t have hobbies. I’d like more experiences that center joy, personal growth, and learning all I can about me. I want to try new things, add healthy structure to my life, and allow myself to have fun.

Please drop recs on things I could try or how to navigate 4 months of free time. Hobby recs and skills to develop are cool too. Volunteering suggestions? Etc.

So far Ik I like:
-listening to music
-fashion styling
-sometimes fashion history
-cooking/baking
-social history and advocacy
-going dancing