Gap Year

[ozzy-shrimper]

Having a look at BtQ's thread and got me thinking about whether I should take a gap year next year after college. Im studying Sport and Exercise Science at SEEVIC and looking to carry on doing Sport Science but as a degree at Uni. I've got two options either take a gap year and work full time somewhere to earn a bit of money to learn to drive and go out, or head straight off to Uni and splash that student loan all over the place.

What did you do, take a gap year? Or headed straight off? What is the best thing to do?

 

[BaileytheQuitter]

The only reason I didn't take a gap year is I didn't fancy being a year behind everyone else, eg my friends.

I'm really happy I'm going straight into uni, I've found the 3-4 months I've had off since college enough time to get myself ready and eager for uni.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Ozzy, with your qualification, you could easily look at going to somewhere like Center Parcs - either for the summer or for a year out.

 

[Vange Shrimper]

I went straight to uni. I also didnt bother with the year of work experience through university either, as I only wanted to spend 3 years there. Then I went to another uni straight after my degree to get a PGCE and got myself a job.

Lucky I did that, as some of my uni mates went travelling after university for a year and are still struggling to get a job or they went back to uni for 2 years.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Sod centre parks. Save up £2k and bugger off to Australia to have the year of your life.

 

[Hotman]

make sure you take a map and don't get lost

 

[Perth Bambi]

Where are you looking to do Sport Science Ozzy?

 

[Ron Manager]

Sod centre parks. Save up £2k and bugger off to Australia to have the year of your life.

Blimey mate, you'll have to give me budget tips on how to make 2 grand ($4k AUSD) last a whole year over here ;)

 

[MK Shrimper]

Blimey mate, you'll have to give me budget tips on how to make 2 grand ($4k AUSD) last a whole year over here ;)

That's for the working Visa! (or living on Vegemite for a year....)

 

[adwebb16]

I took 3 gap years and have not regretted it at all on so many different levels! Did a bit of travel, worked in London and worked locally too. Although at the time my mates were all at uni i did regular uni visits and it actually gave me a really good insight into uni life. i think if i had gone at the same time as everyone else i'd have wasted the opportunity to get an advanced education, cheesey but working my nuts off and loving it!

 

[EastStandBlue]

I went to straight to Uni and never looked back. That said, There are definitely bonuses to taking that year out and earning some money. You spend an awful lot in your first year as you adjust to living on your own, and I spent my first summer back paying off the debt I'd helped myself to... If you got yourself a bog standard Call Centre job that paid £6 an hour and worked Full time, you could easily earn something like 8 or £9k. With that, you could learn to drive, buy a car, get insurance and still have change left over for an extra grand a year to play with.

Having a car at Uni is something I'd certainly recommend. I didn't and ended up going to The Spar and buying **** food when I didn't have any in the fridge, which costs a damn site more than buying your regular shop from Asda or whatever.

And it also gives you the oppurtunity to embrace the best parts of University. Getting head from girls in exchange for lifts.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I took (well was obliged to take) two years off university and worked in a sponge/J cloth factory.

In retrospect it was bad decision (with a little more thought I could have at least made it into the peanut factory on the same industrial estate) but it made me appreciate just how hard some people have to work just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

 

[adwebb16]

I took (well was obliged to take) two years off university and worked in a sponge/J cloth factory.

In retrospect it was bad decision (with a little more thought I could have at least made it into the peanut factory on the same industrial estate) but it made me appreciate just how hard some people have to work just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

Perhaps thats your answer! I didn't take a car and IMO saved an absolute fortune and got lifts off others to go shopping etc and in my 2nd & 3rd year made sure that I was withina decent walking distance to a major supermarket

 

[Pubey]

This is a hard one, I know people who swear by gap-years, and others who think they're a waste of time. I didn't bother with one, went straight through uni, a masters and into a job... so part of me wishes I'd taken some time to do some travelling... however I've landed on my feet and now I'm not looking back.

A few things to remember:

1. If most of your mates are going off to uni, then things won't be the same back at home

2. If you're not 100% set on university, then maybe a gap year is smart whilst you find your feet... you can visit friends at uni and really decide if it's for you

3. If you are set on uni, I'd personally go for it and then look to travel after your 3rd year... you'll be more grown up and will probably enjoy it more.

4. If you're short for cash then look to get a bar job at uni, you'll earn some money, still feel like you're having a bit of a night out.. make tons of friends (doubles for singles!) and it won't eat into your life if it's only a couple of nights a week.

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

I took a gap year and loved it. It was also helped get my foot in the door in terms of my career. I spent 9 months working on a building site - being a general dogsbody, but in particular focussing on co-ordinating floorbox lay-outs in an office space with the interior design for the desks in an open plan area. It was actually quite an interesting job, and one that has a big impact for the end-users when they actually move into the office.

When I started interviewing for legal jobs, one was at a barristers' chambers that specialised in construction law. I was therefore able to explain quite convincingly why I was interested in construction and what practical experience I had of working on a construction site. I believe it played a fairly significant part in me getting a job.

I also spent 7 months travelling (travelling overland in a truck from Madras back to the UK, and then spending a couple of months in Brazil), paid for by the money which I'd earned on the building site, which was totally awesome. Once you start work, the next time you'll get a period as long as that to yourself in which to go travelling may not be until you retire - and for that reason alone, I'd strongly recommend a gap year.

Matt

 

[ozzy-shrimper]

Where are you looking to do Sport Science Ozzy?

Anywhere that'l take me at the moment but prefferably Portsmouth or Brighton.

Very interesting advice at the moment, really difficult what to decide on. Its really split between my mates at the moment whether theyre going to Uni or not so cant really go on that. Id like to travel at some point but not too sure when, where or who with!

 

[EastStandBlue]

Anywhere that'l take me at the moment but prefferably Portsmouth of Brighton.

Beware the Sport & Exercise Science course is on the Eastbourne Campus, not the Brighton one.

I went to the same campus and lived with 4 SES lads, so if you've got any questions don't be afraid to ask.