Two years ago, after my second year at Queen’s, I was forced to take a year off because of my poor academic performance.
When I first got the notice in the mail, a chill went up my spine. What would I do away from school for a year? What would I miss while away? I experienced a kind of agoraphobia—not a fear of wide open spaces, but of possibilities. I was fortunate enough to turn my summer job into a full-time position, and moved in with some friends in Toronto. The following summer, I travelled across Europe for a month and went out west to do some rock climbing.
When I got back to Queen’s in September, I was eager to go to class, get involved in extra-curricular activities, and get back to being a student. My marks went way up, and my work outside of class gave me a good idea of what I want to do once I’m done school.
It wasn’t long before I wondered why more people don’t take a year off. Our istration doesn’t put up any barriers to keep people from doing it. Even if you don’t for courses, you maintain your status as a student. When you return, all you have to do is sign a form saying you didn’t study elsewhere while you were away.
The University doesn’t keep track of the number of students who take years off, but staff at the Arts and Science office estimate that about one or two hundred of these forms are submitted annually by returning ArtSci students. However, many of these are from students who were away because of illness or financial difficulties, so it’s not an accurate reflection of the number of students who leave voluntarily. Academic counsellors are reluctant to recommend a year off for students who might benefit from it.
The main barriers to taking a year off seem to be cultural. My parents were deeply worried that once away for a year, I wouldn’t return. This sentiment seems to be common among parents. Robyn Agoston, ArtSci ’05, said her parents were ive.
“My friends’ parents warned my parents that I might not go back,” she said. Agoston took a year off between high school and university to consider her options and get some life experience. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. “I needed time to think and explore the different possibilities.”
She worked during the year and visited friends at different universities to get a taste of several Ontario campuses. The highlight was a three-month solo backpacking trip through Europe. “I was up to the challenge. I learned a lot about myself.”
A year off between high school and university is common practice in Britain. It’s known as a “gap year” and has become a normal part of the educational experience there. A multitude of organizations exist to help students get work experience, travel or volunteer abroad. Many universities allow students to defer acceptances for a year.
Elite American schools are on board with the gap year as well. Students itted to Harvard are offered the option of deferring their studies, and are told to consider the benefits of doing so. Other Ivy League schools offer deferred acceptance as well. However, at most Canadian schools, this isn’t the case. Some offer deferred ission in special circumstances, but most simply don’t have the procedures in place.
A gap year in the middle of one’s university education is, of course, a little more difficult than one at the end of high school. The pressure to get a degree over with is strong. But it makes more sense to be ready to take full advantage of the experience.
Agoston said she definitely recommends a hiatus. “The biggest thing you’ll achieve is clarity on what you want to do—and you won’t be wasting money,” she said.
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