GAP YEAR

INTRO

• Growing in popularity
• Positively correlated to higher academic achievements
• Encouraged by elite institutions
• Definition of a gap year

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

• Does taking a gap year have a positive impact on students
• What are the main driving forces for participation

KEY FINDINGS

• Growth of university deferments grew from 4% to 11%
• Benefits:
• Develop social values/ life skills
• Improved employability/ career opportunities
• Greater perspective/ knowledge from experience

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• Become more independent/ mature
• Improved education performance
• Greater motivation to achieve goals

MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS

• Needed a break from studies
• Time off to work/ train for a job
• Financial necessity for costs of further study

CONCLUSION

• Gap year participation positively predicts academic success
• Prevents students from burning out
• Improves employability
• Gaining valuable life skills
• Become independent

RECOMMENDATIONS

• .
• Collect data that are more helpful in determining success:
• University completion rates
• Deferment activities
• Drop-out rates

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FURTHER RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• How can the effectiveness of take a gap year be measured?
• Are some gap year activities and programs better than other?
• How can the gap year be more equitable (funded/substidized)?

FURTHER RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• How can the effectiveness of take a gap year be measured?
• Are some gap year programs better than other?
• Should the gap year be funded/subsidized?