10 Life Changing Things You Can Do During Your Gap Year

Here is why a gap year can be beneficial to you and your life experiences. You will learn many life lessons from a gap year.

Gap years give you the perfect opportunity to learn about yourself, experience new things and live your life in a more fulfilling way! The options you have and the experiences available to you are endless and limitless. Here are a few ways you can spend your gap year!

1. Get a Job

Taking a year out of education gives you plenty of time to earn some money, gain some experience and save up. You have a whole year to learn about the inner workings of the corporate world. Not only are jobs good for money but also to help you organise your time, learn more about yourself and what you like and dislike.

2. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to add to your CV and spend your time doing something worthwhile. Many companies, business and charities are looking for volunteers to help them out and just to understand them more. It can also feel very rewarding helping someone or something for a bigger cause than just money.

3. Volunteer abroad

These days there are plenty of opportunities to experience something new abroad. Volunteer in another country and see what you learn about yourself. The great thing about this is you also get to experience new cultures and meet new people. Find a program that suits you best and get out of your comfort zone.

4. Travel/Backpack

If you budget properly you definitely will be able to afford travelling. Book the hostels, find the cheap flights and experience something you can’t put a price on. Travelling is one of the most rewarding experiences and having a year out from everything means you have all the time in the world to, well, see the world.

5. Cross off an item on the bucket list

If you don’t have a bucket list yet then I highly recommend making one. It gives you things to work towards and look forward to. Plus crossing something off it is such an exciting feeling. Is there a festival you have always wanted to go to, a place you’ve always wanted to visit? Add it and go out and make it happen. Life goes by so fast so don’t waste a single second of it.

6. Reading challenge

Set yourself a challenge to learn more about the world and escape to new ones. Having a year out doesn’t mean you can’t read up on your studies and learn more about them voluntarily. Reading helps with so many things such as giving mental stimulation, stress reduction and memory improvement.

7. Sleep

This is your chance to sleep, I don’t think you’ll get this opportunity again so don’t feel bad for sleeping in and having lazy days. Rest until you are bored of it. That being said make use of the time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. As soon as you feel like you have rested enough begin those early mornings, find new ways to spend your time and make the most out of the gap year!

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8. Learn a new skill

Learn a new language, how to cook your favourite dish, study something you haven’t studied before and try something new! Spend the year increasing your skill set and impressing everyone around you including yourself.

9. Find a passion

I took a gap year to find something I am passionate about. It was one of the best decision I have ever made so don’t be afraid to use the time to find yours. See what you want to spend your time on, see what you would like to develop and realise your potential.

10. Spend time with good people

You have a year away from responsibilities like studying so spend time with the people you love and respect. You’ll be surprised how much you will learn about them that you usually don’t pick up on. Time spent with family is time well spent.