Gap year or not?

Riddickcule

Alright heres the deal, I'll be 17 when I finish my Leaving Cert. I skipped 4th year. I feel I should take a gap year, mature a bit, get money together etc.

Many suggest not to and go straight into college, but I'll be 17 going in, and I think I'll be too young.

Anyone else with experience of this?

ShamrockGirl

Hey in my opinion a gap year might be a good idea. A lot of evening events at college level (i.e) silent disco's, celebrity dj's events, RAG week events) have retrictions of 18+. I know a few of the people in my course this year missed out on great events because they were only 17.

But I think you would be better to apply for your chosen course this year, get the required points and then defer the course for a year. Some people take a gap year then eventually never go back to college, so taking a deferal will encourage you to be prepared the following year.

Hope thats of some help!:)

clarke1991

yeah i agree with shamrockgirl, you would be to young to go and have a proper night out and miss out on the fun. differ your offer so there will be a place waiting for you next year:D

Riddickcule

Just to note I'll only be 17 for two months.

johnmcdnl

If you have a job for the year take the year I think - then at least you'll be 18 going in so you can go out with everyone else..

other option is to do a level 6 course or something for the year just to have a bit of paper going into college...

I'd personally not take a gap year but then again I did TY kinda for that reason so....

I think 17 is too young if you want to have the craic basically - but if your there tostudy study study then it shouldn't matter

Noodleworm

I was 16 doing my leaving, and would have turned 17 just before college. I did a PLC course for a year and deferred my college place. It was a nice trasistion from the school to a college learning enviroment and I met new people and studies something I was interested in.

I just think if you take a year out its good to have something to keep your mind active, otherwise you get get overwhelmed in college

Riddickcule

I want to take a gap year but I don't want to be doing nothing for so long, even this summer is boring my brains out. I'd like to be working at least but jobs are hard to come by these days, and trust me, I've tried!

djcervi

Have you considered maybe taking a year abroad to learn a foreign language, and travel? I recently did a French course with EF languages in Nice, France. There were many people who decided to study French for about 6/7 months, then they continued with university studies, etc. Although my personal opinion would be to choose an authentic city (i.e. non touristy), as most people would speak English to me. It's something worth thinking about, if you want to learn a foreign language.

Leeg17

I was 17 for the whole college year, went to a few nights out and stuff but no way as much as I would've if I was 18. Wait OP, that's what I'd do if I was just going into college again as 17.