For many seniors, right now is the time to submit college applications for next year. While most application deadlines are in March, students most likely have an idea of where they want to go, and what they would like to study. However, the lingering question of taking a gap year lies in the future as well. 

Students who choose to take a gap year are without school for that entire year and are forced to occupy their time with either learning outside of a university, or making money to pay in the coming years. 

Being in the middle of a pandemic there are a few differences for everyone in comparison to previous years. The norm for the college process was completely eliminated because test scores are optional and the campus tours are virtual.

Taking a gap year can provide some benefits and also some drawbacks. 

A few of the more notable benefits would be applicable if the time spent during the gap year was focused on learning a new trade or skill. Taking the time during a gap year to be in internships, trade programs, or advanced schooling, can all help benefit the start of a college chapter in life. Another benefit to taking a gap year is getting a job to help pay for the next four years. Everyone knows college is expensive. However, all of those benefits are negated if the time spent during the gap year is not taken seriously. 

The negative side of taking a gap year severely outweighs that of the positive side. In most cases, the gap year is taken for good reasons, however, turns sour. Time spent in between high school and college is more often than not spent on vacations, traveling, and other fun activities.

Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, spending the gap year messing around instead of using the time wisely is not the best course of action. 

The benefits of spending the first moment out of high school in college outweigh most cases of success taking a gap year. Going to college straight from high school means that the formed work ethic built will not be broken since there is little time off. 

At the end of the day, the decision to go to college is based on a multitude of factors that all play an important role in one’s future. Taking the gap year can offer many ways for success but they are outweighed by risk and possible setbacks. The safest path is going to college right away while the mind is still fresh and in learning mode.