Steve Lear

As we imagine new possibilities for transforming education, who better to ask than a current student?

At 18, Vihaan Shah is a recent high school graduate who is studying finance and data science at the University of Southern California.

As a Guest Contributor to SteveLear.org, he writes about educational issues from a student’s perspective.

As a recent high school graduate, I have been thinking a lot about whether students should be required to take a gap year before college. Here is my honest take on the idea, the good, the bad, and what I believe is the best way forward.

When you are 18 and standing in your graduation gown, everyone keeps asking the same question: “So, what’s next for you?” For most people, the answer remains simple. You go straight to a four-year college or institution. But what if the next step was something different? What if every student had to take a year off before starting university?

Why a Gap Year Sounds Amazing

After thirteen straight years of school, the idea of taking a year to breathe and recollect yourself is appealing. I have seen friends return from volunteering, working, or traveling with more confidence, new skills, and a better idea of what they want to study. A gap year can give you time to grow, experience more of the world, and recharge before starting college classes.

The Catch

Not everyone can afford to travel or take unpaid internships. Some students need to start earning money right away to help pay for tuition. Others might lose the study habits they have built over the years. There is also the risk of the year becoming unproductive if there is no clear plan.

What Research Shows

Research shows that gap years can have measurable benefits when they are planned with purpose. The Gap Year Association reports that about 90 percent of students who take a gap year enroll in college within a year. Surveys also show that 81 percent return with greater maturity, 76 percent with more confidence, and 80 percent with stronger cross-cultural skills. Many come back with better study habits, clearer goals, and often higher GPAs, with roughly 60 percent saying their experiences influenced or confirmed their choice of major or career.

A Harvard Business Review analysis in 2024 noted reduced burnout and stronger leadership among gap-year students, and recent 2025 data suggest they are more likely to persist through college and graduate on time. Long-term studies add that 95 percent of participants felt their gap year prepared them for academic or career success.

Still, research from Australia warns that poorly planned gap years can disrupt momentum and raise dropout risks. Overall, the evidence suggests that a gap year is most effective when it is structured and intentional, not simply a break from school.

A Conversation at Home

It would be helpful to use the above research findings when discussing this subject with your parents:

Student: “Mom, Dad, I’ve been thinking about taking a gap year before college. I feel like I’ve been in school forever, and I want some time to work or volunteer before starting classes.”

Mom: “A gap year? You’ve worked so hard to get into college. What if you lose momentum and don’t go back?”

Student: “I understand. But a lot of students who take a gap year actually come back more motivated and do better academically. It’s not about putting college on hold. It’s about showing up ready instead of burned out.”

Dad: “What would you even do for a whole year? We don’t want you to just be sitting around.”

Student: “That’s fair. I would make a plan. Maybe get an internship, work to save money, or volunteer. There are programs that cover housing and food if I wanted to go abroad, but I could also stay local and build experience that helps me figure out my major.”

Mom: “And how do you plan to pay for all that? We can’t fund a year of traveling.”

Student: “I know. I would look for options that are affordable or even paid. A lot of students use their gap year to work and save for tuition. I would not expect you to cover it.”

Dad: “If you have a real plan and it helps you grow, then maybe it could be worth it. But you would need to prove you are serious about going back to school.”

Student: “That’s exactly what I want. I don’t see it as skipping college. I see it as preparing for it. I want to come in more focused and ready to get the most out of it.”

My Take

A gap year can be life-changing when it has a purpose. However, making it a requirement would not be fair to everyone. I think universities should encourage gap years, help students find meaningful opportunities, and make them financially possible for those who want to take one. But in the end, it should be a choice, because the right path after high school is not the same for everyone.