The Gap Year is that that twelve month period between high school and college or between college and graduate school or between college and getting a “real” job.
Some students actually feel that they are entitled to take a gap year as a sort of respite or vacation after the rigors of academia.
Now, my knee jerk reaction to someone telling me about a gap year would be to say, “get a real job and a real life and get your butt to work.” This would be my initial reaction. It would be my definite reaction to a slacker looking to coast on their parents’ dime rather than work.
However, a gap year, could serve a useful purpose to a mindful achiever. It might give the mindful achiever an opportunity to test the career waters.
The mindful achiever thinks, “Before I invest four years studying poetry, have I figured out how I can make a living as a poet?” Or, “Before I spend twelve years studying psychology, do I really want to be a psychologist?”
All mindful achievers have a focused career objective. They know exactly what they want to do to make a living. They don’t spend four years in college studying “business communications” if their real passion is to design jewelry. College and graduate school are a means to an end but you must know the end you wish to reach.
If you are unclear about your ambitions, be mindful. Take your time, take your gap year and explore, test and keep asking questions. Take internships and part-time employment. Find a mentor. Maybe, you will discover your true voice as a poet and you will happily sacrifice for your art. That’s great. Maybe, you will learn that helping people to solve their problems as a psychologist is your calling. That’s great.
Be mindful. Find your calling. When you know what you want to do, work won’t seem like work and studying won’t seem like studying. You will be doing what you want to do. Your classes will never bore you. Your classes will excite you. Your job will excite you. Your life will excite you.
Be mindful. If you want time to think, take time to think. Military service or the Peace Corp are also good options.
