What are the pros and cons of taking a gap year?

Q: Okay, in the middle of choosing a university for next year i suddenly had an epiphany that really i should be taking a gap year after my alevels because i dont feel that i wud be able to live with myself if dont take a year to see the world. What i would do would be work for half a year then go travelling to somewhere where i could really help out in the third world, i dont want to do something where id have an easy time so id be willing to throw myself into just about anything. Its a pretty sudden idea so i'd like to hear from you what the advs and disadvantages would be for me bearing in mind id like to go to a nice uni after and maybe ideas for what i could do.

A: You have completed your A levels which suggests that you reached a high level of pre-university education (compared to people that join university at AS levels). It seems like you have no urgency to start your after-uni career, and you seem not so sure on your future university or course. If so, I would not suggest to hide behind a 'gap year'. If it's too late to choose and enroll in a university then enroll in the second semester, but don't take as an excuse to take a full gap year. CONS: 1. Employment is rare for non university graduates. High chance end up doing nothing. 2. Low-paid jobs are offered. Usually unskilled jobs whose total annual income would not equal 3 months of your graduate salary. 3. Not likely to gain considerable experience from low-paid jobs. 4. Traveling around the world as an activity is an unsustainable activity. You would consider traveling in holidays, from your salary earnings during the work year. Or you may travel by taking job opportunities in different countries. Helping others is good, but from your own earned money, not your parents. You may also be more helpful by working as a graduate and finance aid programs. Pros: 1. Give more time to decide about which university to join and which course. New valuable information may be gained in that time-span. This is more true if you go to work. 2. Learn language in case you move to another country. Learning 'Malayam' may not be as useful as learning 'Spanish' though. 3. Earn some money, assuming you work. Not much though. 4. Join the productivity club. Feel value for money and how hard it's to earn them. 5. Get to make new friends. Bottom line: go to university.

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