A recent study has found that students who take a gap year after school are more likely to achieve better results in their first two years of tertiary study than those who enter university straight after school.

A recent study released by the University of Sydney has found that students who take a gap year after school are more likely to achieve better results in their first two years of tertiary study than those who enter university straight after school.

Tracking the achievement of 904 university students from the departments of art, social science and science, the study found that taking a year off after high school had positive effects for the motivation levels of university students.

Lead author of the study, Professor Andrew Martin, said having a gap year often gave school-leavers the chance to accrue skills that could help them cope more readily with the demands of university life, as well as providing them with time to more clearly consider their future study options.

“Students explore their strengths and weaknesses in a year off after school, and can develop attributes and qualities such as self-responsibility and self-direction through working or collaborating with other people in part-time jobs or volunteer work,” he said.

Gemma Hooley, a student at the University of Technology Sydney, took a year off study after finishing her HSC in 2009.

“I think taking a gap year is incredibly beneficial – I got to experience so much, and those experiences have really helped me in my degree, providing me with inspirations, insight and ideas,” said Gemma, who is now studying events management.

Though the study results indicate that having a study break before university can benefit students, Professor Martin stressed that taking a gap year may not suit everyone.

“Though students should always consider the benefits of taking a year off, many students go straight from school to university and are just fine. They may even go on to take a gap year mid-way through university, or afterwards – before entering the workforce,” he said.

“Flexibility in pathways after school are endless.”

 

By Tess Gibney