How can you prepare for your gap year? It all begins with a plan. Some students might need to take time away from their studies unexpectedly, and everyone’s responsibilities are different. Either way, it’s always wise to plan out things you’d like to accomplish. By setting short- and long-term goals, you’ll find it easier to stay on track.

If you’re deferring your studies, check in with your academic institution’s admissions team first! Every institution has different deferral rules and timelines. It’s important to know how to defer correctly, as breaking the rules can jeopardize your seat in the program.

Whether you want to gain work experience, care for a loved one, or travel, a gap year is a great time to grow as a person and a professional. Use the tips below to make the most of it!

When is it right to defer your studies? Learn more on our blog.

Set Goals

Here, we’ll use “gap year” as a general term: You might take six months off, or a little over a year so you can travel after a work opportunity. Whatever time you take, it’s wise to set a timeline and a goal date for returning to your studies. By setting a limit, you’re more likely to make the most of it.

Taking a gap year has become more popular in the wake of COVID-19. For example, in the United States in 2021, a found 22% of college students weren’t attending school that fall. While more students may be making this choice, every student has a different level of flexibility when choosing how to spend their gap year.Ìý

Your budget, location, health, and family can all affect your options. Students who need to recover from an injury or care for a family member will have a different year than someone who works or volunteers in a foreign country. Still, no matter if you’re in your hometown or halfway across the world, this time is valuable.Ìý

Set goals with different timelines to keep yourself engaged. Having some easy wins to get started can help your biggest goals feel more reachable. You can even by promising yourself a small reward for each milestone you hit, or a bigger reward after reaching a few. To keep track, write down your goals. Whether your method is on paper, a spreadsheet, or a calendar app, having a visual reminder can encourage you to keep moving forward.

Ready to return to class and use what you learned? Here’s how to write a compelling study gap statement.

Create and Understand Your Budget

A budget can feel like a lot to prepare, but it’s an important step. You’ll still need to afford tuition when your gap year ends! 

• Start with a list of your major expenses: think groceries, transportation, and rent.Ìý
• Then, factor in occasional costs, like clothing, entertainment, and travel.Ìý
• Compare these expenses against your expected income for each month to understand your cash flow.Ìý
• Don’t forget to save some money for your future life as a student, as well as last-minute expenses! This way, if friends invite you on a week-long trip, you’ll know if you can spare the money and time away.

The best budgets are active documents. Check it monthly to see if you’re staying on track. When you do, update it as you settle into new patterns. Spending less on groceries than expected? The cost of a monthly transit pass increased? Update your budget to reflect those changes, and remember you’ll still need to keep it balanced.

We look at how taking time away from your studies can impact your finances in this blog.

Be Open to Opportunities

Think about the skills you want to develop during your gap year. Do they relate to your future studies? Here are some ideas:

• Do you want to learn a new language? Whether it’s Portuguese or Python, knowing different languages can diversify the job opportunities you qualify for.Ìý
• Stuck between two career paths? Working in a field you’re interested in can help you decide if it’s a good fit. (And, whether it’s architecture or medicine, can also help you learn if you’d rather just watch that job on TV.) There’s no shame in deciding one job isn’t right for you! Better to learn early than invest in a degree you don’t want to use.Ìý
• If you’re busy during the day, try taking free online classes. Many allow you to study at your own pace, and can give you a head start in your field.
• Volunteering can be a great way to support causes you believe in. Plus, it helps you build soft skills that help you stand out to admissions teams and employers.

Travelling as a student can be a lot of fun, too! If you plan to work abroad for a year or a season, research visa options. Plus, many companies have special tickets or cheaper days for youth (people under 25 or 30). From rail passes to groceries, remember to use these discounts!

Considering travelling during your gap year? Our five tips for travelling affordably can help you save.

We hope these strategies help you prepare for your gap year. With a little care and budgeting, it can be a very rewarding experience!

Ready to start your international study journey? .

The post How to Prepare for Your Gap Year appeared first on ApplyBoard.

Do you need a study gap statement for your study abroad application? While many students will go from primary school through to post-secondary study without any breaks, others will take some time away from school. Reasons for the gap vary: some dedicate time to caring for a family member, where others work full-time to save money for tuition. Gap years filled with travel or volunteer opportunities are also common, especially for international students.Ìý

Read on to learn more about who can write a study gap statement, what to include, and other best practices.

Considering a study gap? In this blog we’ll share times when it makes sense to defer your studies.

What Is a Study Gap Statement?

Are you taking a year or more between finishing secondary school and starting post-secondary studies? If so, it’s highly recommended you write a study gap statement when applying to post-secondary institutions. While you should also address your study gap in your Statement of Purpose (SOP), the study gap statement gives more detail about what you did and what you learned during your time away from school.Ìý

Important Note: Every academic institution’s entry requirements are different. Some institutions won’t request study gap documents, some will request separate SOP and study gap documents, and others will ask for the two to be combined.

To make your statement easy to understand, we recommend writing it chronologically. Start with when you graduated, and move forward through time, noting any relevant achievements. Most colleges and universities aren’t looking for a long statement; check their application pages for recommended word counts.

Gaps can also happen in the middle of your course of study for similar reasons, due to a school closure, or because you’ve decided to change your program. Canadian schools start to consider time away a “study gap” after . Considering a mid-program gap? Remember, it can impact your plans for life after graduation too. For example: in Canada, (PGWP), or can make you ineligible for a PGWP if your gap was unauthorized by your college or university.

Curious about studying in Canada and gaining work experience after graduation? Learn more about how PGWPs support international students.

Make It Relatable

When possible, connect your experiences with your field of study. For example, if you spent a year caring for an aging family member, and are applying to a health sciences program, share how your challenges in advocating for their care makes you want to create tools that boost access for others in your community. Or, if you worked at a small business, and are applying to an MBA program, share how your hands-on learning prepared you to dive into your project management and marketing courses.Ìý

These details will make your statement more compelling, and show that you’ve put thought into your future. Not sure how to connect your gap year with your studies? Try brainstorming ideas with a trusted friend, family member, or study advisor. They can offer a different perspective, and might see things you’ve missed.

Our timeline for international students is a great tool for planning out your study abroad application, from what you’ll need to when to start.

What Are Good Supporting Documents for Your Study Gap Statement?

While your study gap statement should tell the full story of your time away, it’s wise to include extra documents that support your statement. Depending on why you have a study gap, here’s what you might need:

• Did you take time off for medical reasons? Include a letter written by your physician.
• Spent time working or volunteering? Have your supervisor write a letter which talks about your responsibilities. Including a payslip or record of employment is also helpful.
• Returned to your home country to support a family member? While respecting their privacy, include a description of the situation, and records of your flight/travel. Your family can also attest to your support in a short letter.
• Did you travel somewhere where you learned things related to your studies? Include proof of language classes, participation in field studies, or similar documentation.

When in doubt, contact the admissions office at your target institutions, or check their websites. They can provide specific advice around their preferred supporting documents, what formats to use (usually PDFs), and what not to include. If possible, request extra copies of original documents, as you may need to share them with immigrations officials or other academic staff in the future.

It’s also important to think about how a gap year might impact your future financially.Ìý

We hope this guide to study gap statements is helpful as you start or continue your study abroad journey!

Need more guidance on your study abroad journey?

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