Northwestern Mutual: 6 Ways Teens Can Utilize a Gap Year

While some teens might choose to enter college right after high school, others may want to take a gap year before continuing their formal education. Whether they opt to travel, volunteer, learn a new skill, or assess the next steps in their education (including researching the best college savings plans), there are tons of options available.

Here are some productive ways teens can consider using their gap year before heading off to college.

Travel

Some teens may have the desire to explore the open road and beyond with plans that might include:

• Taking time for international travel solo or with friends
• Visiting the origin of their family’s heritage
• Enrolling in an immersion program to pick up a new language

Regardless of what kind of travel they do, teens can learn a lot by getting out of their comfort zone and having new experiences.

Learn something new

Even away from traditional school, teens may still want to learn something new during their gap year time, and some of those skills could be:

• Picking up a new tech-related skill like coding
• Learning photography skills
• Taking cooking or baking classes

Having the chance to immerse themselves in these new, enriching skills may be an invaluable opportunity and get them excited about the road ahead.

Work part-time

Some teens may opt to enter the workforce for their year after high school to make some extra cash to save for future expenses. They might work on creating their own business, take on a part-time job, or do gig work to help finance their goals, educational or otherwise.

Volunteer

Other teens may want to nurture an interest in volunteering either close to home or abroad. Volunteering can open young minds to others’ perspectives and be a fulfilling way to give back to a community, group, or organization.

Get creative

Teens can be pretty creative, so some may want to dive more into their creative side during their gap year. If so, they may want to explore writing articles, essays, or even a book. Others might find themselves drawn to podcasting, posting motivational videos on social media, or applying their dynamic creative skills to one of their favorite social or political causes locally or nationally.

Think about next steps

No matter how teens use their gap year, it’s important to consider their future beyond the immediate moment. When considering further schooling, they may want to gain a deeper understanding of how student loans work. By doing that research, they can prepare for what to expect when it comes to tuition, books, and other college costs and how to cover them. Teens can also talk with family, friends, or other trusted mentors to help them establish a solid plan.

Make the most of the gap year

Regardless of how a teen spends their gap year, the most important part is to come away from that year knowing the time was well spent. It’s important to remember that a gap year is only temporary, and while it’s a valuable time for personal growth and exploration, teens should not lose sight of their long-term goals. Staying focused on their plan to continue education after the gap year will help ensure they stay on track for future success.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI.

Media Information:

Source: Northwestern Mutual

Contact: Don Klein, 1-800-323-7033