How to Make Your Gap Year Memorable

Many students opt to have a gap year before starting university. It can be used as an opportunity to get some fantastic life experiences that you’ll not have time for once you’re a full-time student or when you leave and embark on a new career. What you want to get out of you gap year is different for each person, as everyone has different things they enjoy or something they aspire to. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your gap year.

Travelling

One of the most popular gap year options is to go travelling. It is an opportunity that you may not have later in life when you have work and family commitments. Where you go on your travels will depend on a number of factors, including budget and your personal interests. If you enjoy adventurous outdoors activities, it is likely that you will want to go somewhere different to someone who just wants to laze on the beach in the day and party all night.

You will also need to think about whether you want to travel alone or with a group of students taking a gap year. It is important to think of a location that you have always wanted to visit or one that has a culture you find fascinating, and this may include more than one destination. While you are there, don’t be afraid to take opportunities to try out as many new experiences as possible as this is the perfect way to make sure your trip is memorable.

Read our previous article with some of our top backpacking destinations.

Voluntary Work Abroad

Another way of seeing the world during your gap year is to consider doing voluntary work abroad. This has several benefits. Firstly, you will experience spending time in a different country and be able to enjoy the culture. Secondly, you might get your travel and accommodation costs paid for, so this removes any financial worries you may have about your gap year. Finally, it will look great on your CV as you will have the opportunity to learn many transferable skills that are key to securing a good job. The key to having an exciting and memorable time is to choose a type of work you think you will enjoy in a country you actually want to visit. Also, make the effort during your time off from your work to explore the area, have fun, make friends and gain new experiences.

Cheap Gap Year Ideas

Not everyone can afford the traditional gap year activity of travelling to far-flung countries. However, just because you are limited by your budget does not mean that you cannot use your gap year to have a fun time with fantastic experiences. One alternative option is to travel around the UK instead. The UK is a fabulous country with some wonderful places to visit, each with something different to offer. You will spend less money on travel and by staying in hostels or camping you can also save a lot on accommodation. This can be even more fun if you do it with friends who are in the same financial predicament as yourself as you will have someone to share the memories and experiences with.

Work Experience

Some students opt not to spend their time abroad and much prefer the option of getting some work experience. This can be the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the game, earn some cash and gain some valuable work experience. This need not be the boring option though. Provided that you choose a working environment you will enjoy in the field you intend to have a career in, then this can be an equally exciting experience. Earning money will also mean that you have the cash to do other fun activities at the end of your working day or at the weekends.

Practical Tips

One thing you may need to think about, especially if you are travelling abroad, is what to do with all your belongings while you are away. One of the best options for this is to put your possessions into storage. Student self storage is a cheap way of keeping all your things safe and secure until you return home. Flexistore offers student storage in Aberdeen, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and St Andrews.

Another important practical tip is to carefully plan your finances for the year. Think about whether your parents will be funding the trip, if you plan to work to pay for your gap year or if you have enough savings to cover the cost. Make sure that you think about travel costs, food and the cost of day-to-day living. If you run out of money, you may find that your gap year ends rather abruptly.

What to do in a gap year is very much an individual choice and will also depend on the budget available for the year. Where you choose to go or what you choose to do should fulfil your personal aspirations and give you experiences that will leave memories for a lifetime!

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