While many people want to get all of their school out of the way as soon as possible, plenty (myself included!) need a much deserved break before hunkering down to complete grad school. Taking gap (3) years was the absolute best decision for me and I would not trade that time for anything. It shaped me into the person I am today and gave me lifelong connections and skills directly relevant to my current practice. While this post is most relevant to SLPs, these could be considerations for people in a variety of fields. Here are some questions that I have gotten and that you should ponder if you are deciding whether this route is for you.
Is is hard to get back into “school mode” after being away?
It depends! For me, it was very easy to make the shift back from working to student. It almost felt like I was “playing” school, after 3 years away suddenly having essays and tests and homework felt more like a game – which made it seem easier than when I was burned out of undergrad. After years of having to make big life decisions on my own, being able to simply show up and have a syllabus handed to me with all my tasks set out several months in advance felt refreshing.
Did you forget how to take notes or study?
For me, the biggest shift was creating a new system of note taking – I’d always preferred handwritten notes, even when I’d had the option to use a laptop. But in grad school, the information came in so quickly, it was nearly impossible to keep up without typing. As for studying, I didn’t have any issues picking it back up.
Was is hard to go from earning a paycheck to paying tuition?
This was definitely an adjustment, though I was very lucky to find a program that had scholarship options. I’d also been able to save substantially when I had been working, and I knew that it was only a couple years until I’d be back on the earning side. I was still on my own at the time, just splitting rent with a room mate so my other expenses were relatively low.
What is the best way to spend my gap year(s)?
Teaching assistant! – I participated in an English teaching assistant program in Spain* where I not only got experience with teaching language, I also became fluent in Spanish. I also have friends who have done similar programs in France, Austria, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Colombia.
If you’d like some hands on classroom experience but moving abroad isn’t the right move, try looking for TA positions in local public schools – special education rooms tend to be particular high need and will give you incredible experience.
Camp – Many summer camps hire year round staff who host field trips or weekend programs. You can find a specialty camp that focuses on a special needs population, or an activity you’re particularly interested in. Leadership, communication, planning, decision making, and so many more valuable skills come from camp staff roles.
Seasonal work – This time of life is perfect for short term commitments and big adventures. Holiday visas, ski resorts, cruise ships, theme parks, beach resorts, national parks, and many other “vacation” jobs may be an option.
Healthcare assistant – CNA, therapy aide, SLPA can all get you some directly relevant experience to add to your applications, and eventually resume.
Local work – At the end of the day, a big benefit from taking a gap year is saving for your tuition. Living at home working in a restaurant, retail, or another entry level job can be incredibly beneficial financially.
*If you’re interested in Spain!
public schools- https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/nalcap.html
private schools- https://www.meddeas.com/
Catholic schools- https://www.ecmadrid.org/programs/beda-program?lang=en
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