Wanna do something different

woutR · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:29 pm

This is my final year of high school and I'm focusing on future studies, and while there are some studies that interest me, I really only know what I don't want to do.
(I'll be 18 once I finish this year)

So I was thinking of maybe having a gap year while I try to expand my horizons and try to find what really interests me, but I don't really know where to look for ideas, I actually don't really know what I want to do. I just don't want to go study immediately.
I know I want to do something productive, like say go on an exchange, build water wells in Africa , things like that. Backpacking and partying is really not for me. I also don't really want to stay at home and just work a year, that seems a bit pointless because I want to 'get out there' and not stay in the same environment.

Does anyone have any good experiences from a gap year? Know a place where I can find some good information? Any help is appreciated.
I'm just trying to find something that will change things for me, to expand my horizons.
Not that it really matters, but money is not a problem.

CrimsonNuker · **Joined:** Aug 2006 **Posts:** 13791 **Location:**

I've heard its extremely hard to go back after you've taken a year off from school.

woutR · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:43 pm

Ye that's what I've also heard, I guess I will have to take the chance.

inky · **Joined:** Nov 2006 **Posts:** 4025 **Location:**

Finish HS first...

It's just 1 more year..if you want to do some kind of philanthropist work, at least be logical about your decisions.. then you can go around building wells in Africa - just not in places like Northern Uganda I hope. That is, unless you have a death wish.

woutR · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:00 pm

I guess I didn't make that clear enough then, I am planning on finishing high school no matter what, I need the diploma for almost everything.
Also the gap year pretty much implies that I'm planning on studying after the year, and my diploma is necessary for that.

Anyways I looked around a bit for charity work and that kind of stuff, and it looks like I actually have to pay them to be able to do stuff there. Which is kind of the world upside down. So I'm dropping that idea, I'm not planning on being some kind of 'tourist' help who has to pay.

inky · **Joined:** Nov 2006 **Posts:** 4025 **Location:**

woutR wrote:

I guess I didn't make that clear enough then, I am planning on finishing high school no matter what, I need the diploma for almost everything.
Also the gap year pretty much implies that I'm planning on studying after the year, and my diploma is necessary for that.

Anyways I looked around a bit for charity work and that kind of stuff, and it looks like I actually have to pay them to be able to do stuff there. Which is kind of the world upside down. So I'm dropping that idea, I'm not planning on being some kind of 'tourist' help who has to pay.

Lol Ok now it's clear. I just took a quick read so I didn't understand you completely the first time. Btw, it's not that hard to get into college - even after 10 or 15 years. A Lot of the people in my class are around their late 20s and mid 30s. Some of them are even around 45. It all depends on which college you're planning to get into.

Elements · **Joined:** Jun 2008 **Posts:** 218 **Location:** AFK

Charity work is always looked upon well by employers and further education bodies, however you should finish all of your studying until you are leaving to go to university before you even think about going off and taking a gap year. Even then I would recommend taking a gap year after completing all of your studies rather than before.

PR0METHEUS · **Joined:** Aug 2006 **Posts:** 4093 **Location:** Earth

Well even if you do go directly to college after high school, you don't necessarily have to pick a major right away. You could go undeclared and fill your schedule with classes from several majors that seem interesting. While you're doing that, you could also get into a work-study program in an area unrelated to any of your classwork to get an even broader experience. Maybe do this at a university in a completely different part of the country (or an entirely different country) to surround yourself with a different culture.

This way you're able to expand your horizons a bit without being confined to picking a major for "what you want to do with the rest of your life" and still earn credits toward your future degree. You wouldn't even necessarily have to be a fulltime student, which would give you more time to do things like volunteer work.

.AWAKE. · **Joined:** Jun 2007 **Posts:** 2070 **Location:**

he said build water wells in africa , hahahaha I found that extremely funny

Deadsolid · **Joined:** Dec 2007 **Posts:** 1789 **Location:**

Go straight to college if you have the money. Any other decision is moronic.

[SD]Master_Wong · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:05 pm

not that hard since i left school i didnt know what i want to do i dont know 100% now either but time to think is good

heroo · **Joined:** Sep 2006 **Posts:** 6618 **Location:**

CrimsonNuker wrote:

I've heard its extremely hard to go back after you've taken a year off from school.

yup, exactly what i'm afraid for.

i also finish high school this year, and i'll be nineteen when i finish. i also wanted to take a year off and travel around the world, but i think it's going to be very hard for me to start school after having skipped a year.

CrimsonNuker · **Joined:** Aug 2006 **Posts:** 13791 **Location:**

I graduate this year too, but I'll have to stay an extra year to get all the courses I need for university :oops:

. I would be able to go to college right away though ^__^

Noobs_Slayer · **Joined:** Jan 2008 **Posts:** 1196 **Location:** AioN

I suggest you just explore the world. Well you could try new experience as well.

woutR · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:39 pm

PR0METHEUS wrote:

Well even if you do go directly to college after high school, you don't necessarily have to pick a major right away. You could go undeclared and fill your schedule with classes from several majors that seem interesting. While you're doing that, you could also get into a work-study program in an area unrelated to any of your classwork to get an even broader experience. Maybe do this at a university in a completely different part of the country (or an entirely different country) to surround yourself with a different culture.

This way you're able to expand your horizons a bit without being confined to picking a major for "what you want to do with the rest of your life" and still earn credits toward your future degree. You wouldn't even necessarily have to be a fulltime student, which would give you more time to do things like volunteer work.

We don't have that in the Netherlands. We don't have the major/minor system. I'm not too familiar with the American college system so I don't really know how to describe the difference. There's just no option to pick a lot of subjects and do them all to only a small degree.

Anyways I'll look into a work-study program or something like that.

poehalcho · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:51 pm

woutR wrote:

PR0METHEUS wrote:

Well even if you do go directly to college after high school, you don't necessarily have to pick a major right away. You could go undeclared and fill your schedule with classes from several majors that seem interesting. While you're doing that, you could also get into a work-study program in an area unrelated to any of your classwork to get an even broader experience. Maybe do this at a university in a completely different part of the country (or an entirely different country) to surround yourself with a different culture.

This way you're able to expand your horizons a bit without being confined to picking a major for "what you want to do with the rest of your life" and still earn credits toward your future degree. You wouldn't even necessarily have to be a fulltime student, which would give you more time to do things like volunteer work.

We don't have that in the Netherlands. We don't have the major/minor system. I'm not too familiar with the American college system so I don't really know how to describe the difference. There's just no option to pick a lot of subjects and do them all to only a small degree.

yeah you're pretty much farked after 3rd class (14-15 years) D:

Jstar1 · **Joined:** Mar 2007 **Posts:** 4757 **Location:**

yeah dude I heard it is really difficult to get back into that "studying at school" mindset after you take a year off. Be sure to note that one year is an extremely long time if your thinking about traveling to all kinds of places. Its really easy to slack off and just sit at home.

I suggest you finish a degree in college before doing anything else. You go to college partly to "expand horizons", you don't have to go traveling around the world to acquire that knowledge.

aznronin · **Joined:** Jun 2008 **Posts:** 1393 **Location:**

in "That 70s Show" i believe Eric Foreman did that...

woutR · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:13 pm

Jstar1 wrote:

yeah dude I heard it is really difficult to get back into that "studying at school" mindset after you take a year off. Be sure to note that one year is an extremely long time if your thinking about traveling to all kinds of places. Its really easy to slack off and just sit at home.

I suggest you finish a degree in college before doing anything else. You go to college partly to "expand horizons", you don't have to go traveling around the world to acquire that knowledge.

It's either going to be now or never, if I do it after I'm done with university, which will take like 5-6 years minimum, I gotta get to work to pay off loans and get settled and that kind of stuff. It makes more sense to do it now. I know what the 'risks' are, but for all I know I end up loving what I do and I won't even need to study for it. Lately I've only been thinking about things that interest me, previously I always looked at what would be most beneficiary in economical ways.
I'm just not really looking forward to university at the moment and I don't want to go simply because it will be hard to get back into it. Let me clarify again: I do not know what I want to study. I'd rather do something really different than go do a study that I'm not thrilled about.

Ok so anyways, I appreciate your concerns and thoughts, but I'm really just looking for people's experiences and ideas. I'm willing to take the risk of not being able to get into studying again. I'll land on my feet with or without a university degree. There's always the army if everything is farked.
Now please, if you have any ideas about what I can do, do tell.

Ownage · **Joined:** Jul 2009 **Posts:** 1173 **Location:** SwSro!

woutR wrote:

Jstar1 wrote:

yeah dude I heard it is really difficult to get back into that "studying at school" mindset after you take a year off. Be sure to note that one year is an extremely long time if your thinking about traveling to all kinds of places. Its really easy to slack off and just sit at home.

I suggest you finish a degree in college before doing anything else. You go to college partly to "expand horizons", you don't have to go traveling around the world to acquire that knowledge.

It's either going to be now or never, if I do it after I'm done with university, which will take like 5-6 years minimum, I gotta get to work to pay off loans and get settled and that kind of stuff. It makes more sense to do it now. I know what the 'risks' are, but for all I know I end up loving what I do and I won't even need to study for it. Lately I've only been thinking about things that interest me, previously I always looked at what would be most beneficiary in economical ways.
I'm just not really looking forward to university at the moment and I don't want to go simply because it will be hard to get back into it. Let me clarify again: I do not know what I want to study. I'd rather do something really different than go do a study that I'm not thrilled about.

Ok so anyways, I appreciate your concerns and thoughts, but I'm really just looking for people's experiences and ideas. I'm willing to take the risk of not being able to get into studying again. I'll land on my feet with or without a university degree. There's always the army if everything is farked.
Now please, if you have any ideas about what I can do, do tell.

Well speaking economic wise, I would say just do uni now cause jobs are starting to get harder to find. But if your really into it I would say go ahead and do it, if you don't you may regret it for the rest of your life

cin · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:41 pm

i needed a break from school after my HAVO.

i went to norway for an awesome year before starting my
bachelor study. pm me if you're interested i'll tell you
all about it.

Jstar1 · **Joined:** Mar 2007 **Posts:** 4757 **Location:**

woutR wrote:

Jstar1 wrote:

yeah dude I heard it is really difficult to get back into that "studying at school" mindset after you take a year off. Be sure to note that one year is an extremely long time if your thinking about traveling to all kinds of places. Its really easy to slack off and just sit at home.

I suggest you finish a degree in college before doing anything else. You go to college partly to "expand horizons", you don't have to go traveling around the world to acquire that knowledge.

It's either going to be now or never, if I do it after I'm done with university, which will take like 5-6 years minimum, I gotta get to work to pay off loans and get settled and that kind of stuff. It makes more sense to do it now. I know what the 'risks' are, but for all I know I end up loving what I do and I won't even need to study for it. Lately I've only been thinking about things that interest me, previously I always looked at what would be most beneficiary in economical ways.
I'm just not really looking forward to university at the moment and I don't want to go simply because it will be hard to get back into it. Let me clarify again: I do not know what I want to study. I'd rather do something really different than go do a study that I'm not thrilled about.

Ok so anyways, I appreciate your concerns and thoughts, but I'm really just looking for people's experiences and ideas. I'm willing to take the risk of not being able to get into studying again. I'll land on my feet with or without a university degree. There's always the army if everything is farked.
Now please, if you have any ideas about what I can do, do tell.

Ok..but you do know that a big chunk of college freshman enter college without absolutely any idea what they want to do with their life? Most end up finding something they really like to do. College in itself is for you to explore yourself.

But if your dead on planning on taking a year off, go somewhere exotic like Japan I can tell you kinds of tips about going there

. Then you can hop over to Korea since its right next door. Even if your looking for something "really different" don't go to third world countries even if they have a "really different" climate or culture. Theres plenty of amazing places in the world that are safe and clean.

Its not worth trying to explore the world when you end up with a tapeworm inside your intestines or get $300 stolen from a pickpocketor or get scammed by a con artist or even kidnapped.

Draquish · **Joined:** Mar 2006 **Posts:** 6423 **Location:** ____

Try http://www.peacecorps.gov/

dom · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:19 am

1) Go to school (what I did)
2) Explore (what I wish I did)

I went directly to School. After grade 1 - 12 you need a break, it's not motivating to just keep chugging along without first experiencing real life.

I have a friend who took the year off and bike/train across Europe for like 3 or 4 months, then he sailed across the Atlantic from the Caribbeans to France. I remember seeing a picture of his facebook of a place he stopped where he painted a picture about his sailing trip, I finally discovered from "Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations" that it was from the Azores.

I wish I had done what he did, but realistic, I would have liked to just work during that year to get my experience and confidence up. When you get into a co-op programme, almost everyone has work experience because it makes you a lot more competitive for job selection and you get a better education from it.

School to School is fail. To learn at the degree you're supposed to learn, you have to first experience the World they talk about.

I wouldn't do voluntary work. Either you get paid or you explore hardcore.

+ your resume isn't impressive when it looks like....

Spoiler!

-Bagged food as per customer's specifications

Wu · **Joined:** Apr 2007 **Posts:** 2521 **Location:** Around.

I'm going to type this in Dutch for the easyness.. tired

Ik heb zelf ook een jaar vrij genomen na de havo, omdat ik geen idee had wat ik nou wou doen.
Ik kan je in ieder geval vertellen dat het -momenteel- moeilijk is om werk te vinden, behalve callcenterwerk. Zorg dat je iig dan echt iets hebt wat je wil doen dat vrije jaar. Ookal wil je niet werken ik zeg het toch maar even.

Aan de andere kant heb je maar 4 jaar stufi, dus tis ook belangrijk dat je niet al te snel zomaar wat probeert tenzij je ouders met wat geld hebt, een eigen bankrekening, of een studieschuld geen probleem vindt.

Tja, dat zijn iig wat ervaringen van mij. Praat eens met je mentor of decaan of whatever, je ouders, etc. Misschien eens naar wat van die vrijwilligersprojecten bellen voor informatie of zoiets.
succes.

woutR · **Posted:** Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:21 pm

Wow, Cin PMed me this amazing idea and it looks really promising. So does anyone know any more of these kind of programs?

ty cin :love:

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