After applying to university to study English Literature with Creative Writing at Oxford Brookes, I realised I just wasn’t ready. I wasn’t sure about the course, the university and whether uni was for me at all.

I decided I needed to take some time out, which has been an amazing decision and one I would definitely recommend to others.

A gap year is what you make it. It’s completely up to you how you spend your time – here’s how I’ve been spending mine:

Work and work experience

Having a job and gaining work experience relating to what I’d like to do were the most important things

I wanted to achieve. My work experience placements have given me an understanding of the working world and I’ve learnt a lot from them.

They’ve made me feel sure about the degree I want to do, as well as the career path I’d like to follow. Most importantly, I got a job at The Local Answer after previously working in retail, which has so far proved an extremely valuable experience! Not only has it been great to earn money, but the range of jobs I’ve had have helped me gain confidence.

If you’re still unsure about the degree you want to pursue, try to secure a few work placements in different industries or sectors, as this may help you to figure out what you enjoy and excel at, thus making it easier to choose your degree.

Volunteering
Volunteering is something I’ve hoped to do for a while, and now I’ve got the time to do it. So far, I’ve volunteered with Leckhampton Beavers and I am going to be involved in fundraising for Marie Curie and Cheltenham Animal Shelter. I’ve been really enjoying it; it’s so rewarding to give back to my community and it has made me a more well-rounded person.

Paid placements can be hard to come by, so why not volunteer your time and energy instead? You may not be able to volunteer in the exact industry in which you hope to find paid work, but you may learn new skills, improve your confidence and find a new passion.

Hobbies
I’ve had a good amount of time to dedicate to things I love doing, as well as a chance to get to know what they actually are. There’s still so much more I want to do, I just hope I have time for it all! I’d be really happy if by the end of the year I’ve managed to make some progress with learning to play the guitar because that’s something
I haven’t been able to commit to yet.

Work and education are very time-consuming so if you’ve been meaning to learn a new hobby or improve on existing ones, do it while you have time!

Having a break
I’ve loved not having to think about studying. I’ve been able to have a break, during which I can spend quality time with my family and friends. It’s important to get some ‘headspace’ every now and then, and it’s especially important not to feel guilty about it. If you need to have three duvet days between work placements to recoup some energy, do it and enjoy it!

Travelling, for many, is a big perk of a gap year. There are loads of opportunities available, ranging from volunteering and adventure holidays to simply getting a chance to sight-see. They also vary in length; you could spend all year travelling or just a couple of weeks.

So far, my gap year has given me great experiences and opened me up to new perspectives. I’ve become more independent, but ultimately

I know that when I go, I’ll feel ready. I’ll be sure about the course I want to do, and I’ll be more confident after spending time focusing on what I want to get out of life. So, what’s your plan?