In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.

Before embarking on college many young people are advised that a year working or travelling may be a good option. This essay will suggest that experience gained and money saved are the biggest advantages of this but delaying careers and reducing motivation to study are the primary disadvantages. The main advantages of a gap year are learning more about the world and earning money. For students just finished secondary school, working or travelling for a year will allow them to learn what life is like outside of the education system. Also, third level education is very expensive and lots of students decide to work for 12 months and save up money before they begin their studies. The Times recently reported that the average student at a UK university requires over $12, 000 per annum just to survive and many drop out because they cannot afford to stay. Despite these advantages, students lose a year that could have been used on their future careers and they often get used to working or travelling and don’t want to return to a life of study. As job markets are very competitive, an extra year of experience can make a massive difference when applying for jobs and those who took a gap year are at a disadvantage. Moreover, some decide to bypass university altogether and go straight into a job that is beneath their capabilities or may not offer the same prospects their future career might have done. For instance, a recent survey by the British Government found that 26% of students who take a gap-year never enter tertiary education. In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to gather up savings or learn more about the world, however, they should also be careful that it does not lead to disillusionment with education or reduced job prospects in the future.