In class, people would say things like “There is no point to a gap year” or “gap years are a waste of time.” However, in my final year, I’ve made the decision to take a gap year after high school. Taking a year off after school can be extremely beneficial for several reasons.

For a start, they can foster significant personal growth. Depending on how you spend your gap year, you’ll gain valuable real-world experience. It’s often the first time in someone’s life that they can reflect and decide what they really want to do, without the pressure of academic performance looming over them. It’s a chance to just be.

In fact, 60% of people who have taken a gap year say that their experiences from that time confirm their choice of what to pursue. This kind of exposure also gives you a wider understanding of the world.

A gap year also helps you build independence. Many people get jobs during this time or travel on their own. Learning to manage yourself, work and travel without reliance on others prepares you for the transition into university life, where independence becomes essential. A gap year gives you time to learn how to live on your own, removing one of the biggest stressors for new university students.

Financially, gap years can ease the burden of university as well. Getting a job during this time can mean starting university with some savings, which helps alleviate financial stress. After a year of navigating the world independently, the only thing left to focus on is academics.

Here, too, research highlights the advantages of gap years. Students who take them often report feeling more motivated to complete their college work and engage in extracurricular activities. They also tend to perform better academically. This is especially true for students who may not have done as well in high school.

A 2012 US study shows that people who take gap years are more likely to graduate with higher GPAs (grade point averages). Not only can people benefit from a year with no academic stress, but the skills and maturity gained during a gap year clearly contribute to greater academic success.

Another misconception is that gap years are simply an excuse to be lazy and party. While that may be true for some, the majority of people spend their time productively, whether it’s through travelling, volunteering or working to save money. However I acknowledge this may not be for everyone as it requires a lot of time and planning.

Finally, the notion that gap years are a “waste of time” is one that has always irritated me. It’s rooted in the idea that life is all about academics, getting a job and earning a stable income. While these things are important for many reasons, gaining diverse experiences and figuring out what you want to do with your life is equally crucial. It’s absurd to claim that any time not spent in formal education as a young person is wasted.

In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly points to gap years as being beneficial. They promote personal and academic growth, and they can make the transition to university much smoother. Having decided to take a gap year, I’ve already started to plan how I’d use the time to explore new opportunities, gain independence and reflect on my future.

As a society, we should embrace a more flexible approach to education. Not everyone wants to follow a linear path to their future, and that’s perfectly OK. We should support people’s choices on how to spend their time – especially when it leads to personal growth and valuable life experiences.