19 Nov 2020

When you think of a gap year, your mind probably goes to weather-beaten backpacks, birkenstocks and beers on a beach. But with the uncertainty of overseas travel still admist, you may be doubting the idea of a gap year entirely. 

Sure, gap years have historic parallels to the European 'grand tour' or volunteering in South-East Asia, but they actually don't have to be synonymous with travel. What's cool is that gap years come in all different shapes, sizes and flavours.

Even if a gap year abroad is off the table, you should still consider taking one if you're still figuring out what you wanna do. 

 

 

You can still work 

This is the perfect opportunity to earn some decent dosh and gain some independence! Whether it be a job that fascinates you or if it's just a crappy part-time gig, you'll pick up some experience, meet some fresh faces and of course, earn much-needed money.

Apart from learning some important adult life skills like (brace yourself) budgeting, it’s also a time where you can spend your hard-earned cash. With some sweet financial independence. You can start saving for travel when you can or set yourself up securely for when you start uni, and you can afford to do all the things you love, like road trips, festivals and potentially even move out of home.

Most importantly, work hard for a few months and you can eat all the smashed avo your heart desires. 

You can still travel

If you’re still itchin’ to travel, lucky for you it isn't completely off the table. There’s still some epic places on aussie soil that you can embrace and don't even require a plane. From the boho capital Byron Bay to Cairns, even Darwin or Australia's hidden gem, Tassie, there is so much of this awe-inspiring country you're yet to explore!

Maybe it’s time to forget an overseas gap year that’s going to cost you an arm and a leg. Road-tripping is cheap, and let's face it bloody fun! Day trips, weekends away or trekking your way around Australia can all be done on a relatively small budget and if you've already got a car then you're sorted! You can drag your mates along or go it solo. Australia is your oyster baby!

Who knows what next year holds in terms of overseas travel, but things are looking up!

You can figure out what you wanna do

Now you're living for yourself and not an ATAR, now is the time for some self-discovery.

Invest in yourself! Learn a new language, take more photos, volunteer at the animal shelter, read more books or even write one, take an art class, learn to surf or to play the drums...whatever you want to do. 

Heaps of people choose to take a gap year because they have absolutely no idea what they wanna do post-school and they feel burnt out after 13 years in a stuffy classroom. It's totally okay to take some time off and figure out what your passion is and what you hate. By the end of it, you'll probably know if uni is for you or not and what you wanna do with your life. But if you're still unsure, you should defs check out our Career Planner if you need a helping hand.