After four long years of hard work in high school, some Pelicans feel that they need a break before moving onto college. A gap year is time away from school that some graduates take to experience the world, travel or take art in internships before moving on to the next level of education. Gap years are common in Europe and have become increasingly popular in the United States over the past ten years. Students who opt to take advantage of this alternate option might explore possible career opportunities, volunteer for a cause they care about, or travel the world in this time.

“A gap year prepares a student for college, (and) provides students with a break in their four year education,” PMHS guidance counselor Mrs. Cuccia said. (Students) use it as an option to apply to their dream school or to a specific program at the specific school.”

PMHS senior Violet Massie-Vereker has decided to take a gap year to gain experience that will make her four years in college more meaningful. Massie-Vereker spent time in Europe which influenced this decision.

“I lived in the UK for a couple years where nearly everyone takes a gap year,” Massie-Vereker said. “Most universities only span three years largely because it’s expected that students take a year off. I think it’s rather logical to spend a year working, studying, and traveling as you please before entering another intense academic setting.”

Violet is weighing her options for what she will do during her year off.

“The top horses in the running at the moment are working at my old summer camp in Maine, doing workaways across continental Europe, a program where you work in a foreign country at a small business or estate in exchange for free room and board, volunteering for the Peace Corps in South America or Southeast Asia, working at an art museum in St. Petersburg, interning at a film composer’s studio in Glasgow, or working on a U.S. presidential campaign,” Massie-Vereker said.

One common misconception about gap years is that those who take advantage of this option only do so to travel. Moreover, people tend to assume that gap years are only a luxury for those with enough money to do so. However, with the rising cost of college, some students use the time to earn some money to help pay for tuition when they eventually go to college.

Whether it’s traveling the world, interning, working, or volunteering, taking a gap year can significantly benefit a student’s future college experience.

“I encourage everyone to take a break from the testing and grading madness for a while,” said Massie-Vereker.