Interested in doing a gap year but don’t really know if it’s worth the time? Here’s four reasons why a gap year could be beneficial:

1. Give yourself time to figure things out

Countless high school graduates go to college with no idea what they want to do with the rest of their lives, yet there is pressure to find a major and stick with it. But when students graduate from college, many of them don’t even use the degree they graduated with! If you need time to figure out your next steps, take it. Better to excel at something you love, than to grind away at something you tolerate for the sake of a paycheck.

2. Experience people and cultures different than your own

The world is bigger than just your neighborhood, and most people don’t look or even think like you. Taking the time to travel and meet people will help you communicate more effectively with people that have different opinions or perspectives. This will be useful anywhere you go; in your job, school, or wherever you have to interact with people!

3. Develop your own opinions

Whether we like it or not the way we grow up affects the way we think. Our teachers and parents have an enormous impact on what we believe and how we do things, and so they should. But it is also important to develop your own opinions and critical thinking. Taking the time to understand why you think and act the way you do will help you to know what you believe and communicate that belief with others.

4. Grow in your faith

We all worship something; whether it’s God or something else. We all put our trust somewhere. It is important for followers of Jesus to know who we put our faith in and why we do. Taking a year to focus on God will help you understand, and stay true to, what you believe.

A gap year isn’t for everyone, but it is worth it for those who are considering it. For many, it is the experience of a lifetime.

For more information on a gap year with YWAM Jacksonville, email us at ywamjaxinspire@gmail.com