The Post-Grad Gap Year

It’s no secret that post-grad is daunting. The world is your oyster. Yet, our options post-grad can feel limited due to the standards and expectations from our friends, family members, and even our university. We want to suggest the post-grad gap year for people struggling with their post-grad plans. Whether it’s traveling to explore your passions, yourself, or other cultures, taking time post-grad to travel before joining the workforce can be hugely beneficial for some.

Traveling after graduation can be great for individuals looking to find passions and hobbies. While college-aged students are expected to have hobbies by this age, many don’t (unless you consider Tiktok, video games, and naps). As busy as we are, oftentimes we find our hobbies through methods that relieve immediate stress. Having the time during post-grad to explore the world and discover what you love to do will help tremendously when you decide to begin the workforce (if that’s what you decide to do), as these passions can translate to the work you do in the future.

The post-grad gap year also helps to explore within. As Elon students, we are all drilled in our brain early on that “abroad will change your life”. While that is not the case for some, many experience changes in one's lifestyle that lead to self-growth and exploration. According to the NYU Dispatch, “traveling helps humans gain a greater understanding of themselves to create a feeling of wholeness within their own individuality”. Travel helps you stay present, which is often what our generation struggles with given our brains are saturated with stress and anxiety. Especially if COVID prevented you from going abroad during your time at Elon, the post-grad gap year can be the perfect opportunity to gain new perspectives and learn about yourself.

Travel exposes us to new cultures. Travel allows you to communicate and connect with people from different regions. This time allows you to “completely understand the struggles and celebrations of other regions and countries. One country can be vastly different from one side to the other”(NYU Dispatch). Exposure to these cultures inhibits curiosity, which will aid you greatly in any future endeavors.

Finally, carpe diem! Life is precious and you need to take advantage of this critical time in your life. While not taking the traditional route post-grad may seem scary, it’s exciting. If you want to travel, do it now. After graduation is a unique time in your life when you have few obligations. This is the time to be selfish and do something for yourself because you’ve got the rest of your life to figure it out.

Just know, not everyone will have the same post-grad experience. There is not one cookie-cutter way of doing it. While there can be pressures from family, peers, or the Elon community to take a specific path after graduation, that’s not the path for everyone. Don’t worry, life will figure itself out.

Write to @theedgemagazine to tell us your post-grad plans!