Gap year- a necessity or a waste of time? Your decision

 

Standing on the edge of the corner, deciding which career to opt for, meeting with many people, and having their advice, listening to their experiences, the student starts to settle on an appropriate decision about their career. Having a mentor is very helpful many times, but there is so much that lies hidden in our own journey. When a person actually graduates, the real world comes into the picture, where our expectations sometimes start to turn way around, and the fact that all we achieve by mere luck or hard work somehow starts to diminish. The fact, of course, is not true that hard work or dedication does not pay off. But in the real world, there are many times when things take longer than we actually anticipate. All these starts to affect mental health, make the person negative about certain aspects of life, and many times a person starts to have a pessimistic mindset towards life. The sole reason is the fact, "That now we are on our own". Indeed, doing tons of mistakes is not the thing which we like the most, and if at a certain point in our life, we adorned the title of Mr/Miss Perfectionist, we start to get affected more and more by doing so many mistakes, and this allows more negativity to gush in. Yes, processing the harshness of life starts to consume more and more time out of life. The adjectives that merely define negativity are the ones that a person starts to feel personally, and the only hope that keeps things alive is the fact that "one day hopefully, everything will be alright".

The transition from being a student to a professional is not an easy one. The expectations for students are much different than those for professionals. During the years of study, the student is guided and aided in their decision-making process, but that support system is not always present in the professional world. This can lead to feelings of uncertainty, and the fear of making mistakes can be overwhelming. The pressure to succeed and the lack of guidance can have a negative impact on an individual's mental health.

It is in this context that the idea of taking a gap year arises. A gap year is a break taken from the usual pattern of work or education. It is a time for self-exploration, and a chance to reflect on one's goals and aspirations. A gap year can be taken for personal reasons, such as travelling or volunteering, or for professional reasons, such as learning new skills or gaining work experience. It is a time to take a step back and evaluate one's life choices, without the pressure of external expectations.

The idea of taking a gap year is often met with scepticism. Many people believe that it is a waste of time and that it reflects poorly on a person's resume. However, this is not entirely true. A gap year can be a valuable experience, one that can provide a person with new insights and skills. It is a time to explore one's interests and passions and to gain new perspectives on life.

Furthermore, a gap year can be an opportunity to address mental health issues. Taking a break from the usual routine can provide a person with the time and space needed to address any underlying mental health issues. It is a time to focus on self-care and self-improvement and to develop healthy habits and coping mechanisms.

In conclusion, a gap year can be a valuable experience for anyone, whether they are a student or a professional. It is a time for self-exploration, personal growth, and skill development. It is an opportunity to address mental health issues and gain new insights and perspectives on life. A gap year should not be viewed as a waste of time, but rather as a chance to invest in oneself and one's future.