Gap Year

[Nox]

Did any of you take a gap year before going to university/college? What did you do? Was it worth it? Do you have any regrets? Did it affect your social life in the university/college you went to (being a year older than most of the other students)?

I'm asking this because I'm thinking of taking a gap year after I leave Sixth Form to just move out with a mate, work a full time job to save up some money, get in shape at the gym, get some vital work experience, and just generally become a more independent person.

[Left Leanings]

On leaving sixth-form, I intially went straight to university. I was doing a course in Sociology and Social Administration, but couldn't take to it. So I abondoned my course after seven weeks, and returned home, to take a year out, and apply to another uni.

I was intially going to doss around on benefits and just chill out, but took a job instead, as a returns clerk in a local mill that manufactured stretch covers. I got to earn some cash, but was only paid £2.50 an hour (this was back in 1987). Some peeps there earned even less than me. One woman was on £2 an hour, and one lad, £1.50 an hour.

I worked there for 8 months, and learned about fucking drudgery, and jumped-up farts in management, thinking themselves all that, and strutting about like they were kings and queens. The work study/time and motion manager was a right pain in the arse. She was always at the back of people, pulling them up over the slightest little thing, with her stop watch going. And she had a really off-hand and abysmal attitude.

I had had enough off the place after a day, but if I quit the job, I wouldn't have been allowed to claim the dole, cos I would have made myself voluntarily unemployed, so I chose to stick it out.

There was a plus side, though. I got lots and lots of free stationary haha, as I had access to where all the paper, pens and envelopes were stored. Andwhen the time and motion fiend was out of her office, cos I worked in a quiet part of the factory with only one other guy alongside me, I would sneak into her room, and spend ages on the phone, chatting to my mates.

Don't worry about peeps about being older than you in uni, after a gap year. You will soon discover on your arrival, that there is a wide range of ages there. Many peeps on your course will probably be of the same or similar age, but many will be in there 20s, 30s and older. Some of the people on my course were definitely 'mature' students, and were actually retired from their careers.

I ended up doing a BA in Politics and Religion, and throroughly enjoyed it.

So, take your year out, earn a bit of cash if you can, but have loads of fun too. Why not use some of your savings to go on holiday?

Best of luck yeah :)

[Nox]

Thanks. I definitely won't go on a holiday or do some crazy round-the-world shit, I just want to mainly get in shape at the gym (I'm 17 and my metabolism is still sky high) and take a year away from education to relax a little

[Bronco]

Yeah if you don't feel like going to Uni just yet then go for it, I really regret not taking one but felt under pressure to go before the fees rose and everything

Although working full time will be a lot less relaxing than being a student, if that's what you're looking for

[Anarpest]

Just don't talk about it after.