10 reasons I'm glad I took a GAP YEAR

In today's world, many find themselves just looking for a way to get ahead in the working world. One idea is the gap year, which is a year you take after high school that doesn't count toward degree requirements and usually consists of taking trips around the world, going on adventures that may not be realistically possible for your career path. The gap year can be a time to explore your interests, or at least get some perspective on what you really want.

Here are 10 reasons why taking a gap year was a good idea for me:

1. Being able to get my GED.

I had always wanted to go to college, but I never thought I could get in. It was a lot of work and with really poor grades in high school, I thought there was no chance. When I turned 18, I decided to take the GED test and did well enough to pass though a lot of studying was involved. Graduating was a great feeling.

2. Being able to start college as a freshman.

As soon as I got my high school GED, I started taking classes to get my associate's degree. I took classes like business and liberal arts. After a few semesters, I decided to transfer to a university. The distance was making it difficult, but getting into college freshman year really felt like the right choice for me.

3. Taking advantage of my time in college and not feeling rushed.

I did some wonderful things while attending college here in the U.S., including starting up a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and working as a volunteer at camps for kids with cancer or other ailments that kept them from going back to school after treatment (my sister later did the same thing). I also created a student organization for some of the first time. I miss these things, but I don't think I would have had the same opportunities if I had started college as a freshman.

4. Learning to travel on my own and not feel afraid or lost when traveling.

Most people are not able to travel on their own until they are a lot older, or even in their twenties and thirties (depending on location), but my gap year gave me that freedom right when I was ready to get it. It felt great to explore without having someone else with me. As long as you are respectful of other cultures and not expecting everyone else to be like you, this can really open doors.

5. Having time to grow up, mature and be independent.

I was a bit of a trouble-maker in high school, so I think my parents never thought I would be able to go out on my own. But it turned out that I matured and learned from my mistakes over the next year, which gave me the independence needed for college life - and time to make friends and get used to it.

6. Having time to do other things besides schoolwork and study for tests.

I have often heard that students who stop everything they are doing during the summer in order to study for upcoming tests or assignments never actually learn anything during this critical period. So throughout the first half of my gap year, I explored other opportunities and interests, including running a local festival. I even volunteered at an animal rescue center during that time.

7. Getting my motorcycle license in a foreign country.

When I was 16, I purchased a bike and traveled to other countries on that thing - something that would have been impossible if my schoolwork wasn't taking up all of my time during the year. It sounds like a cliche, but once you have had your motorcycle license in one country, it is easy to get it in another place. And yes, as crazy as it sounds to see a motorcycle license from another country on your Arizona driver's license.

8. Having more time to be social, meet new people and make friends.

As I mentioned earlier, I started a club at my university with the purpose of making new friends. We had a lot of fun and we always had someone to hang out with, even when we didn't have anything to do. We also attended many social events and even hosted some of our own, so I think it's safe to say that my gap year was very social in nature.

9. Learning how to work long hours without getting stressed out or burnt out.

I worked in a restaurant during my gap year, which helped me learn how to get things done while on little or no sleep (because of the time difference). But working long hours is not good for me in school, let alone later in life. After a while, if I were to settle down with a spouse and kids, work would no longer be my main focus. So having this experience early on was great - especially when it came time to study for tests. I did not have to pay for the classes or buy books, but the work was still there and I had to put in the time.

10. Enjoying life without worrying about schoolwork and grades.

Obviously we all want to do well in school, but I think we often forget that taking a Gap Year also allows us to develop as people. The whole culture of school is based on getting good grades, but I think that is not always the most important thing. It's great to get good grades at school, but it does not make you happy 100% of the time.

Plus, I would say that most people who plan on going back to school eventually need to take a break from academics for awhile anyway. The only difference with a gap year is that you can pursue the other opportunities and interests you feel are important.

I ended up doing so many things during my college gap year that I don't think anyone I was traveling with would have believed me. It wasn't all fun and games, but it certainly was a very important stepping stone in my life.

Whenever I meet people who want to go on a gap year or who have never done one before, I always suggest they make sure to take the time off from school their junior or senior year - because it can really change your life for the better.