Hey y’all. This post is for anyone who may be considering taking a gap year between undergrad and graduate school, anyone who feels like they may be wasting time while considering if they want to pursue professional school, or anyone who simply needs a break from school. It’s also for anyone wondering what my personal experience was while deciding if and how I wanted to spend my gap year.

Some people choose to go straight into their next degree. Others choose to gain work experience or to start paying off their debts. Some choose to travel. And some choose to simply rest postgrad out of sheer exhaustion. I want to start by saying, whichever route you choose to take, make the best decision for you and your situation. There is not one right way.

I’m currently sitting in my office between classes reflecting on how I’ve spent my time since graduating from undergrad. In the past year or so, I’ve accomplished many things and learned many lessons that I don’t think I would have learned, (or at least would have taken longer to learn) without taking some time outside of a traditional classroom or work setting.

After being in school nearly my entire life, I thought it would be best to take a well deserved break from traditional education. By this time, I’d already decided that I wanted to go to law school. I knew I wanted the opportunity to travel and to work in a new field. Truthfully speaking, I also knew that many law schools seemed to favor applicant with practical, real world experiences, and I wanted to appeal to that as well.

I’d been working various part time jobs since my senior year of high school. And I knew for a fact that I didn’t want to take on another unfulfilling job. In my senior year of college, I quit what I told myself would be my LAST retail job EVER, and I started a job as a nanny soon after. I absolutely loved being a nanny. Not only did it fit perfectly into a college students schedule, but I realized I really did like children (and more importantly being able to give them back to their parents at the end of the day). It was a very fulfilling job for me.

One day between classes, I found myself searching “how to work abroad.” I came across teaching English abroad. At that point, I’d met a few people who had gone to teach English in various countries but I’d never considered it a possibility for myself. From being a nanny, I knew that I liked kids, and I knew I enjoyed tutoring (at least in a one on one setting). After doing my googles, learning about the process and requirements, and thinking about what I had to lose as well as all I could possibly gain, I had decided on teaching in South Korea and applied with a recruiter that same day. From there, I’d gotten the ball rolling and had my mind set on moving to Korea for a year.

I have tried my best to make the most of this adventure. Thus far, this experience has opened many doors for me and presented me with many opportunities. For that, spending my gap year this way has been well worth it.

Question: Did you take a gap year between undergrad and grad school? If so, how did you spend it? If not, how do you feel about your decision?

Ty

xx