MY GAP YEAR EXPERIENCE | SEPTEMBER 2018

This time last year I was embarking on a gap year. When people think of a gap year, they often think of rich kids travelling the world, or most specifically South-East Asia. But, you can do whatever you want with your gap year. My feelings towards going to University straight away was that I definitely wasn't ready. Some people said to me 'you'll never know if you're ready until you get there', but mentally I didn't feel like it was right for me to go straight in to University when for myself I'm just not all there. Presently, I feel entirely more comfortable to go out of my comfort zone (which is rare for me because I hardly to that), and ready. I just think to myself I'm ready, and it's time and it's my time to do something that will hopefully benefit my future. 

So, getting on with what I actually did on my gap year. I remember being on holiday on the beautiful Greek Island of Kos, and I was so worried about not being able to get a job, and what I was actually going to do on my 'gap year'. I really wanted to travel, but realistically I didn't have the money. I had all these plans and aspirations which in the end I haven't done. I got a job at a company where I worked the previous Christmas. I was happy that I had found a job, after applying for dozens of jobs and not getting anything back. I knew everyone there, and I was just getting settled back in. I was happy that I was doing my own thing and earning money for University, and just earning money in general. 

A big thing that I thought I was going to feel was left out because some of my friends were going off to University and starting their own independent lives. But honestly I didn't. I was becoming an independent person in my own right and learning to be myself without other people. I think it's the first time I've truly felt happy because I was doing my own thing and not fighting against other peoples opinions. 

Looking back at it now, I wish I travelled more and travelled solo, because I think I would be an entirely different person right now. But I went to Tenerife with my parents, and I travelled to a place where I have wanted to go for ages; Scotland. I think if I didn't go there then I would've just looked back at it and thought why didn't I do that, because that was time for me to my own thing. Overall I don't regret anything though because I know I've learnt so much this year; about myself and other people. I've learnt that everything does happen for a reason, and I need to trust that. I've also learnt that you've got to do things for you, because you can't sit around waiting for it to happen. You've got to work hard and do things you want to do. 

Another reason why I chose to do a gap year is because I wanted a break from education. All my life since I was 4 I've been at school. That's a good fourteen years----a long old time. I wanted a break just to do things for myself, and not be under that pressure of exams and targets every day. That way I've learnt that it's not all about that, and life can be as stress-free as you make it. You've got make life the way you want it. I'm excited to start this new chapter in my life, and to always remember that everything happens for that reason, and to just go with it because I know right now I'm stressing and getting so nervous over something that is just gong to happen and I can't change it. 

If you're feeling the pressure to do something you're not sure about, especially if you've just finished school or University. I think you should just collect your thoughts and examine what you really want to do. Weigh up the practicalities and believe that everything will plan out, even if it's not how you imagined it. 

Good Luck!
Rose x