r/ncea • u/SignificantParty9682 Level 3 🧐 • 3d ago
Gap year
Do you think taking a gap year after graduating high school this year will be worth it? I already know what I want to study when I go to uni, but I want a year to save money and travel overseas. I’ve been stuck on this for a while and I’m leaning more towards a gap year. I have applied for uni’s tho just in case I do want to go next year. But I’m still deciding 😭😭😭 any advice? Or if anyone has taken a gap year to do this let me know your experiences!!
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u/pizzaroll555 3d ago
It can definitely be worth it. Just make sure you can actually find a job to be able to save money.
I did a gap year like this, best decision I ever made. I worked full time for like 8 months and travelled the last 3 ish. I made memories for a lifetime.
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u/SignificantParty9682 Level 3 🧐 3d ago
Yeah definitely! Gonna start looking as soon as I finish exams. Where did you travel?
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u/Artistic_Mulberry914 3d ago
I did a gap year, this was 10 years ago though. I worked a full time job while living at home before moving to uni. I was able to travel to Spain later in the year which was a good experience. I would have found it hard to pay for my accommodation and uni fees if I hadn’t taken the gap year. I felt a bit embarrassed about starting uni a year later than all of my friends but I shouldn’t have. My teachers made me feel like I was making a bad decision but in hindsight it was a great decision for me, personally.
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u/Accomplished-Bet-420 3d ago
Really hard getting back into study mode once you don't do it for a while. Imo, keep pushing through and get it over with.
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u/loulouinnz 3d ago
If you're not self motivated and interested enough in your chosen degree just because you've taken a year out then it might not be the right pick for you. Most.of Europe do gap years after high school
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u/Defiant-Law1091 3d ago
My advice is to take a gap year, do a high hour part time job and also take a certificate of proficiency through a uni like massey that offers online learning. You can take up to four courses per year, i did one per semester so two in total and it kept up my motivation to stay in higher education. I saved a lot of money, did really well on those courses and was able to transfer the credits to my degree when I went to a different uni the next year. Easily the best decision i’ve made in regards to my education
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u/Farrkurusername 3d ago
Yes, it's always worth it - either saving money to support you through university or travelling on work visas etc while you are young and have the opportunity. Study can happen at any time, it doesn't need to be straight after finishing school.
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u/KiTT3H_K4t 3d ago
There’s no rush. Uni will be there waiting whenever you’re ready. There’s loads of people who aren’t straight out of high school, i didn’t go until I was 25. Even at that age there was plenty for me socially as well as academically and I don’t feel like I missed out on anything by not going earlier.
If anything I’d say if you’re feeling restless or not 100% on board with uni, you will likely not do as well as if you wait until you’re ready to commit.
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u/Civil-Doughnut-2503 2d ago
If u find a job take it because you never know if you will get another one.
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u/PrincessMcDabby 1d ago
I took a couple of years. Not actually by choice (medical reasons), but it ended up being the best decision. It gave me time to really learn about myself and what I’m passionate about, and that completely changed my mind about what degree I chose.
In year 13 I wanted to do some kind of business degree, but now I’m in the 3rd year of my Law degree and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
If you have the opportunity to take a gap year - I’d do it.
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u/chchonenz 5h ago
Don’t do it. My opinion but hear me out. It’s not worth it. You can travel and have the whole world at your fingertips afterwards. If you save up even during a little bit. But coming back to study is HARD. Get it done. Get yourself set up for life. Travel with a degree is only 3 years away and truly you’ll be so grateful for smashing it out. I took gaps and it set me back. Life gets exciting once you’ve graduated- don’t put that off
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u/Genimogenimo 3d ago
Take the gap year 100%. Its so good to get away from school for a while and just have a go at being an adult. Also you will never be so free of responsibility as you are now, perfect time to travel
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u/Responsible_Wolf279 2d ago
its worth it if your parents are rich or you are a mature structured person who knows what theyre doing with their life
its not worth it if you arent the above as you will be a year behind
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u/Solid-Vegetable2852 1d ago
Don't travel overseas, its time to shift away from this mindset, we need to be reducing our emissions
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u/Emergency-War765 3d ago
Guys guys guys, this is not the way… I’ve just turned 18 and have 55k invested + 13k kiwisaver. The best decision you ever make right now is to save everything and not waste it, compound interest is so underrated…
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u/beerhons 3d ago
There is no right way.
Your way for example you'll have plenty of money as you age but will sacrifice experiences that you may not be able to recreate when you finally decide to, family, travel, anything that generally brings happiness.
Welcome to the triangle of life. Time, money, energy/health, balance away.
Also, what they don't teach you in high school economics is that life experience can compound earning potential a lot faster than interest will compound. Interesting people climb social ladders faster, have the confidence to put themselves into riskier, higher return situations and can quickly "catch up" on the years that money was not a priority.
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u/Green-Marionberry703 2d ago
Sounds miserable. Money is only a number in your bank account, experiences are far more valuable.
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