It is quite common these days for young people in many countries to have a break from studying after graduating from high school. This trend is not restricted to rich students who have the money to travel, but is also evident among the poorer students who choose to work and become economically independent for a period of time.
The reasons for this trend may involve the recognition that a young adult who passes directly from school to university is rather restricted in terms of general knowledge and experience of the world. By contrast, those who have spent some time earning a living or travelling to other places have a broader view of life and better personal resources to draw on. They tend to be more independent, which is a very important factor in academic study and research, as well as giving them an advantage in terms of coping with the challenges of student life.
However, there are certain dangers in taking time off at that important age. Young adults may end up never returning to their studies or finding it difficult to re-adapt to an academic environment. They may think that it is better to continue in a particular job or to do something completely different from a university course. But overall, I think this is less likely today when academic qualifications are essential for getting a reasonable career.
My view is that young people should be encouraged to broaden their horizons. That is the best way for them to get a clear perspective of what they are hoping to do with their lives and why. Students with such a perspective are usually the most effective and motivated ones and taking a year off may be the best way to gain this.
It is quite common these days for
young
people
in
many
countries to have a break from studying after graduating from high school. This trend is not restricted to rich
students
who
have the money to travel,
but
is
also
evident among the poorer
students
who
choose to work and become
economically
independent for a period of time.
The reasons for this trend may involve the recognition that a
young
adult
who
passes
directly
from school to university is
rather
restricted in terms of general knowledge and experience of the world. By contrast, those
who
have spent
some
time earning a living or travelling to other places have a broader view of life and better personal resources to draw on. They tend to be more independent, which is a
very
important
factor in academic study and research,
as well
as giving them an advantage in terms of coping with the challenges of
student
life.
However
, there are certain
dangers
in taking time off at that
important
age.
Young
adults may
end
up never returning to their studies or finding it difficult to re-adapt to an academic environment. They may
think
that it is better to continue in a particular job or to do something completely
different
from a university course.
But
overall
, I
think
this is less likely
today
when academic qualifications are essential for getting a reasonable career.
My view is that
young
people
should
be encouraged
to broaden their horizons.
That is
the best way for them to
get
a
clear
perspective of what they are hoping to do with their
lives
and why.
Students
with such a perspective are
usually
the most effective and motivated ones and taking a year off may be the best way to gain this.