31 Mar 2020

Did you have the time of your life on your gap year but now that you’re back home, you’re feeling dazed and confused, unsure of what to do next? The post-travel slump might be hitting you hard, or you could be feeling the pressure from your parents to start getting your life together. Or,  maybe your 2020 gap year plans have prematurely ended or been cancelled altogether and now you’re trying to figure out what your next step should be.

No matter what your circumstances are, just know that it’s okay to feel a little lost and unsure of your plans. If you’re a little frazzled as to what to do now, we’re here to help you find your feet!

1. Focus on your passion

Here’s something that will brighten your day up. We’ve teamed up with LCI Melbourne to give you the chance to flex your creative muscles and show us that passion project you’ve been working on for the chance to win:

  • A 50% scholarship to study at LCI Melbourne
  • $500 cash
  • 3 x mentoring sessions with a creative legend from LCI Melbourne

So, use this time to hone your skills in animation, photography, film, textiles, art, graphic design, fashion, drawing or painting and get submitting that project you’re working on. It might be that short film you made, the portraits you painted of your best mates or the fezzy outfit you made from scratch – whatever your passion is, we want to see it, so enter the competition right over here.

Your passion project doesn’t have to be perfect or even finished, we wanna see potential, creativity and something that is unique to you!

 

2. Enrol to study

Perhaps you’re keen to get productive and jump into learning! Now, I’m not a psychic so can’t say classes will be going back to the ol’ teacher in front of a lecture theatre gig just yet, but why not consider doing a course online? Or doing the admin now and enrolling into a course that has intakes later in the year?

Kicking off your studies is a red hot idea, especially if you’ve had to press pause on your gap year. And don’t forget, you can always defer for another semester in the future!

3. Consider booking a trip in the future

Travel isn’t looking too red hot at the moment, but there’s no waste in planning some gnarly adventures for the future – tbh, we think right now is the best time to go to town on your dream trip planning – think mood boarding, scrap booking, facetiming with your best friend, and figuring out a budget for your savings.

Whether you have dreams of spending a snow season in Japan or teaching English in India, there are an abundance of working holiday experiences to tickle your fancy.

4. Get a new job

Suss out jobs and internships that suit your interests and will look bangin’ on your resume. If that doesn’t seem feasible right now, perhaps consider if you have any skills that can earn you dosh from home or that would look ace on your CV.

Is this the time you’ve been waiting for to finally start a YouTube channel or TikTok account?  Maybe you want to start making some cool threads to sell on Depop? Or write some articles and submit them to your favourite publications?

5. Stay inspired

Especially for those who missed out on their dream gap year, it is so important to stay inspired. Keep dreaming for the future and working on your passions.

Watch TED talks, read books, learn to cook, pick up a new hobby, do a home work out, binge on YouTube videos, keep a journal. Keep challenging and motivating yourself throughout these trying times.