A forced gap year is a term that describes someone being forced to take a year off from education because they did not make the grades and have to do defer their placement at university. Sounds kind of harsh, but forced gap year can be an extremely positive thing. Sure everyone would agree that being denied access to university in their preferred year could set their plans back, however with the opportunity to earn, learn and travel for an entire year prior to starting university taking the forced gap year can definitely be a positive.
If you are forced into taking a gap year, you will mostly find out on A-level results day or shortly after during clearing. You may be at a bit of a loss as to what to do if disaster strikes and you do not make the grades to get into your preferred university.
The first thing to do is not panic. While it can be devastating that your plans having gone accordingly, it is just a minor setback. Previous feedback from our other gappers who were forced into a year off, has always been positive. Especially those who have chosen to do something constructive Like gain a qualification that can enable them to earn throughout the year and even at University.
For instance our media related intern programs can be an extremely positive way to make money and travel and continue to make money whilst your university.
It may be that you just spend the year at home working, in which case why not reward yourself with a shorter trip, it doesn’t have to cost the earth and one sure you are properly relaxed and have had an amazing preuniversity blast prior to getting sucked into the academic life and inevitable student debt.
Many people travel prior to starting university, because this is genuinely the last time you will be able to do so without worrying about money. Whilst university study is very rewarding, and a hell of a lot of fun it does come at a cost.
A forced gap year because of the change in A-level retakes dates.
2015 will be particularly significant for people having to take a forced gap year. With the abolition of the January AS/A2 exams if you do not get the desired grades, and are unable to get into your preferred university then no doubt you will have to take a forced gap year.
We recommend you make sure your brain is properly refreshed and ready for your retakes, but you have an entire year to wait. So what are the options? We recommend keeping your brain active and stimulated, and obviously do some travel in the process. You could look at our Xtreme reporter which is a journalism qualification which is deathly going to challenge those brain cells. You can spend four weeks studying investigative journalism, travel journalism and various other disciplines and even turning this into a moneymaking enterprise. We have connections with media houses that sell stories so if you are good enough, you can actually turn it into a part-time job. This will no doubt be challenging, certainly not boring and will keep those grey cells active and ready to soak up the information needed to pass your A-level exams.
Another option is our blogger internship, If you’re swotting up on a certain subject or topic, why not create a blogout of your revision material. Not only will this help you learn and become an expert in your subject, you can also monetise your blog (we teach you how) and have it as a resource for others to help them swot up on their exam results.
So there you go. If you are faced with the prospect of a forced gap year this year, do not worry there are plenty of options available to you. University is not going anywhere, but perhaps you can and in our opinion you definitely should you will be a better person for it.