<p>*Is this posted to the correct forum? I’m not sure where this belongs.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m currently a high school junior and am seriously considering taking a gap year before entering college. It seems like a wonderful opportunity to mature and figure out what excites me. The problem is that I have a long list of interests that I’d like to pursue more deeply or try for the first time: </p>
<p>Theatre (i really enjoy acting, and it’s very instinctive to me, but sometimes feel that its such a selfish art…i’m interested in exploring a form called Theatre of the Oppressed), alternative forms of energy, sustainable agriculture (food), art (i’d love to try glass-blowing and painting, perhaps work at a museum), I’d like to return to ballet (not seriously, but for exercise and because I enjoy it), education reform, women’s rights (especially in foreign countries), public health, archaeology, working with children, environmental protection/education/policy, psychology, sociology, journalism, biology, vintage/antiques (I’m fascinated by anything with a history behind it), creative writing (I really enjoy writing poetry), reading! (i want to do a lot of this during my gap year) learning new languages (I want to become fluent in Spanish and start learning new languages as well), astronomy, animal rights, marine biology, bioethics, music (I want to improve my guitar-playing skills and learn to play the piano…I also sing), traveling/learning about + becoming immersed in diff. cultures, photography (I’m an amateur and love experimenting with my dad’s old film camera), film-making (I’m very interested in the idea of creating a documentary with the intention of producing positive social change), working on a kibbutz in Israel (love the idea of being a part of a community plus i’m Jewish and feel it necessary to travel there), peace activism in Israel and/or the Middle East (I am half Moroccan)</p>
<p>GAH! Thank you to anyone who was bored/nice enough to read that all… I don’t know where to start! I want to try everything! Perhaps there is a way to combine this all into one cohesive year? I think that my interests are more connected than they appear to be. Thanks!</p>
<p>Sorry for my post being so poorly written. I didn’t even ask a question haha. My question is: Can I please have suggestions of what to do over my gap year that can encompass my wide range of interests?</p>
<p>You have a lot of interests. Which is good. But you don’t have a clear set goal for your gap year. Which isn’t so good, because that’s crucial to making a gap year worthwhile. My advice: pick one undertaking/interest, set out clear objectives, and explore ways to make them happen. For example, Israel/kibbutz is a great idea; becoming fluent in Spanish is another. (I’m kinda partial to overseas/language undertakings.) While there you can take photographs, soak up the atmosphere, learn the local reality, and consider topics for that future documentary film you’ll someday make. And even if you never do, you will have had the adventure of a lifetime and pictures to prove it. Not a bad gap year.</p>
<p>Firstly, take a gap year. Don’t think about it, do it. It’s not easy and many little things become somewhat hard. You will face a particular set of challenges based on your own situation. I can tell you though, of all the things they say will change your life - this one actually will. You’ll learn to spend time with yourself, understand what you want from a week, a month, a year and even your entire life.
Don’t have an objective okay? it’s going to completely defeat the purpose of a ‘gap’ year. If theater takes your fancy, do that. a couple of months later do something else. When you get tired, get out of the house and travel for a couple of weeks. Don’t tie yourself down. I know everyone will be like get a job/do something seriously/what your objective? But then, they are the people who never had the minerals to do something for themselves now did they?
Don’t let anyone be condescending to you and your choices. Being with yourself, without everybody looking over your shoulders (like school expectations/ college work/ thinking of jobs/ internships blah blah blah) will really make you mature.</p>
<p>the poster above shows the exact wrong attitude for this sort of undertaking. By trying to look impressive you will only get a very good photo album to put on facebook. But doing what you really want (even if it is 5 different things and none professionally), being free and whimsical will give you something you can have for your entire life.Even so, I think that the Israel thing will really be amazing, but think it out first okay?
Best of luck.</p>
<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I see that youre interested in experiencing new cultures, travelling, working with children, learning new languages, photography etc.</p>
<p>It sounds to me that teaching abroad might be right up your street! You dont need any previous teaching experience or the ability to speak another language. You just need to speak English fluently. Completing a recognized TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) course will also help when it comes to applying for jobs.</p>
<p>Doing your course isnt a big deal at all you can even do it online! You can find out more about different kinds of TEFL courses here: [TEFL</a> Courses and TEFL Certificates from i-to-i](<a href=“http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-course/]TEFL”>http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-course/) </p>
<p>While teaching abroad youll be able to incorporate many of your interests into everyday life
some schools (especially in Asia) sometimes even give free local language lessons as part of your contract! Youll be immersed in a completely new and exciting culture; where youll make new friends and have some amazing life experiences, whilst earning some money!</p>
<p>Hope this helps you in deciding what you want to do!</p>
<p>All the best</p>
<p>Everyone has a wide range of things that superficially interests them, and there’s no one way to spend a year that will encompass any list that long. Instead, of thinking of your gap year as a “catchall” for your interests, pick something that you want to accomplish, and make it happen.</p>
<p>Thank you for your comments!</p>
<p>glassesarechic - what do you mean by saying that my interests are superficial? (i’m honestly curious, not trying to start an argument). I like your idea of choosing something to accomplish…but I guess that’s my problem. How on earth do I choose one thing? My intent was to experience a bunch of different things in order to narrow down my major/minor in college.</p>
<p>guitarclassical - taking a year without an objective is <em>very</em> enticing, but i’m worried that i wouldn’t get anything accomplished!</p>
<p>katliamom- i agree that having a clear set goal is important.</p>