From Burnout to Breakthrough: Taking a Gap Year

Written By: Bella Goudie

Cape Reinga, New Zealand Feb 14, 2018.

I took a gap year in 2017, and it was the best decision I could have made for myself.

My name is Bella Goudie and I study at the University of Waterloo where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Honours English and Rhetoric Studies, and I am currently in the Experimental Digital Media Master’s program in the English Department. Before my undergrad, I took a gap year in 2017, and it was the best decision I could have made for my 18-year-old self.

Why I Took a Gap Year

In 2017, I took a gap year after graduating High School. I went to New Zealand for 6 months and I also spent some time traveling around Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Croatia. Ultimately, my decision to take some time off came down to 4 main issues:

1. Finances. Taking a gap working gap year would allow me to put more money aside for my undergraduate degree.

2. Uncertainty. Despite lots of research, I still hadn’t settled on what I wanted to study. I had applied and gotten into the programs I wanted but I couldn’t envision myself at those schools.

3. Needing More Maturity. I didn’t feel ready to move on to university, despite the external pressures to do so. The idea of moving out, living independently for the first time, studying at a university level, and adjusting to a new city. It’s such a big shift and I didn’t feel ready to tackle that all at once.

4. Needing a Break. I poured so much time and energy into getting good grades in high school, particularly the last two years. By the time I was done, I felt a bit burnt out. Taking a gap year gave me the chance to recuperate and bring new energy to my undergraduate degree.

5. *Bonus* Time with Family. My dad’s family comes from New Zealand. I saw my gap year as an important opportunity to spend more time with them, particularly my grandparents.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands. July 2017. 

How I Spent My Gap Year

I spent most of my gap year working and travelling in New Zealand. I worked for a fundraising company and so I spent a lot of time living all over the country and getting to meet new people. I’m a bit of an introvert, so talking to 30+ strangers a day was a great way to get me out of my shell.

When I wasn't working, I was staying in hostels and traveling up and down the country. I climbed mountains, visited Hobbiton, went Zorbing, saw glow worm caves, and spent lots of time sunburned and swimming on stunning beaches. I met (and lived with) people from India, Uruguay, Peru, Switzerland, Austria, France, and many more! I made some great friends, who I hope to have the chance to see again some day.

I also spent some time in Europe. I spent an incredible day at the Louvre in Paris, enjoyed a sunset cruise in Croatia, and tried space cakes in Amsterdam.

Pros and Cons

Taking a gap year was an incredible opportunity for me, but it did have some drawbacks.

Pros

1. Money. As I was working, I was able to save money for my undergrad.

2. Taking a break! Need I say more?

3. Time to figure out who you are outside of other’s expectations. When you’re on your own, you get the chance to decide what is important to you and what you want out of your life.

4. You’re going to be forced to become more independent and become more mature. You get to learn to be an adult without the pressures of academia.

5. Broaden your perspective. You’re going to meet lots of new people and learn so much about yourself, the world, and other cultures.

6. Fun! You get to spend some time in your life where your main purpose is just to have fun.

Cons

1. It can be very isolating. You may be in a new place, without your friends and family around and you may be watching them move on to new stages of life. You’re going to miss holidays with your family and big milestones in their lives.

2. Lack of support. You may be confronted with situations you don’t know how to deal with, but you have to figure it out. Also, some people may not support your choice to take a gap year and see it as a waste of time.

3. Culture Shock. If you go abroad, you may find that the places you are visiting have very different values from your home country, this can be hard for some people to cope with.

4. Feeling Behind. Because everyone else is moving on to a new stage in their life, you may feel left behind. Particularly, as they go on to make new friends. You will also graduate a year later than all your high school friends and your undergraduate friends will forever be calling you old.

Wrap Up

In the end, the choice is yours and it all comes down to your own values. What is most important to you and what do you hope to get out of a gap year?

The best advice I can give you is that you need to trust yourself and follow your gut feelings.

Bonus Tip!

If you want to work abroad, look into Working Holiday Visas. Canada has agreements with 35 other countries that allow people under 30 to easily work in other countries for up to a year.

&Vision is looking for high school / university students to write for us or share their experiences! Email us at hello@andvision.ca to find out how to get involved!