Why and How I’m Taking a Gap Year After High School

So this blog post is really more for me to get my reasons and plan straight for what I do after high school.

I had always been interested in a lot of things and I just adored people who could go all in on something. It’s as if all they could think about was a particular sport, hobby, or any other passion. But I was always interested in a plethora of things, be it science, business, writing, martial arts…

But now I find myself faced with a decision that will pigeonhole me into one of those interests and I find it hard to decide.

Not only that, I feel like I desperately need a year to fully pursue my own hobbies and interests.

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Reason 1: I want to get some real-world experience

In the last 13 years of schooling (4 years of high school and 9 years of primary school), this gap year will be the first where I actually enter the real world. There have been short periods where I felt a sample of how it feels and I believe, although more stressful, it’s going to be a very important step in my development as an independent person.

I believe I will gain more real-world experience during my gap year than in college. Without external factors forcing you to work, you truly understand how you approach tasks you set for yourself. There is no external structure and you make your daily routine the way you want it.

Reason 2: I want to get involved in a startup

I know that many people don’t enjoy the traditional 9–5 job, so I want to experience what it’s like to work in a startup environment. Either I will make my own or join somebody else’s but I just gravitate towards that for some reason.

Reason 3: I don’t know exactly what to choose

Even if I didn’t take a gap year, I would still have a very hard time choosing what college to go to. So, this year will serve as a way to make that decision.

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My plans

I will keep it brief for myself because I know that if I write down more than five things, I will not do them at 100%. I actually had a conversation with somebody who asked me why I don’t start a project on the side while also going to college and I said that you can’t win by going 70% at two things whilst your competition is going 100%. So, for a year I will go 100% into business and then if it doesn’t work, I will go 100% into college.

My brief plan so far:

Travel for at least a month
I think that traveling is a great way to gather new perspectives and meet new people. I will either go with my friends if they will be able to go or go alone and meet new people along the way. I want to go to Asia (Thailand or Bali), and to Portugal or Spain, because the vibe was just so amazing when I visited there with my family.

Start a business
Or join one.

Workout daily (maintain the routine)
I already have a consistent workout schedule but with more time I want to try MMA or some sort of striking martial art along with BJJ and going to the gym.

Try new things
I will make a conscious effort to try new stuff, that I couldn’t find the time to do before.

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Conclusion:

The gap year is going to be a very interesting period. A lot will change, from what I do on a daily basis to how many responsibilities I have and how I structure my life. However, I’m confident that significant personal development will occur, and some great stories will emerge from this experience.

And if you are thinking of taking a gap year, but aren’t sure, just know that the worst-case scenario is that you do nothing all year and you go to college one year later, which really isn’t that big of a deal at all.