Bridging The Gap

Source: http://www.gapyear.com/images/content/12.06.21-mjs-gapyear.coms-spokesperson-1.JPG

Where are you headed after this? What career path do you intend to take? Which courses are you interested in pursuing? These are just a few of the many questions that students are asked throughout their schooling life, which slowly lead up to the ultimate question: what do you intend to do for the rest of your life? The average Singaporean student is considered to be part of the millennial generation, characterized by too much emphasis on academic results rather than personal development. This results in an unfavourable attitude towards having a purpose in life and uncertainty of their life’s ambitions. The solution for this is simple: time and opportunities for self-discovery - Have a gap year after the ‘A’ levels. Gap year is an intentional break from formal schooling. One can take up an internship or even a job. One can also travel and see the world, experiencing all sorts of things to allow one to grow and discover new aspects of oneself. Simply put, a gap year widens a person’s perspective and heightens one’s self-awareness. A gap year's non-rigid structure allows space for students to explore options, widen perspectives on jobs, and this gives them an advantage as they make decisions based on interests instead of societal expectations. However, it may also be a cause for worry for some as they may have financial concerns or fret over the possibility of a loss of schooling momentum. As a young student heading towards university, the future seems bright yet uncertain. There might still be gaps in one’s discovery of what one is capable of, and gaps in the development of personal interests. So, instead of diving headlong into the university system after years of formal education, give the gap year a chance and bridge those gaps with a gap. With proper planning, opportunities, and time, the gap year can support those who are unsure about where to begin with their futures, and empower those who do.