Young adulthood can be a difficult transition period that leaves many young people feeling exhausted and hopeless. One option that has been growing in popularity for young adults is to take a gap year between high school and college to refocus on personal goals and positive self-exploration.

Gap years are being increasingly supported by college institutions as well as individuals as growing evidence shows that gap years can be beneficial to students. A Wall Street Journal survey found that the two most common reasons cited for taking a gap year were burnout from the competitive pressures of high school and a desire to find out more about themselves. Positive and structured gap year experiences can help young adults struggling with both of these issues transition successfully into adulthood.

Factors to consider when deciding on a gap year

An increasing number of students are considering taking a gap year, particularly in light of the Coronavirus. With college campus life in a state of uncertainty, many are considering the benefits of waiting to start college and instead focusing on self-exploration and improvement. However, gap years are not for everyone, and there are many factors to consider when deciding if this is right for you.

One factor to consider is what you want to get out of the gap year. It’s important to enter a gap year with a strong focus and concrete goals, so you can spend this time intentionally. If you don’t take the time to develop a strong sense of what you want to learn and explore, you are unlikely to have many positive takeaways and reentering the academic field could be difficult.

After you’ve discovered a purpose for your gap year, you will also want to consider what the structure of that year will look like. Some young adults participate in volunteer organizations, work in internship programs, or do a hybrid that also allows for time to develop a personal interest or skill. Other young adults require a more structured experience like a residential program that is tailored specifically to help them meet their goals. Regardless of the option you choose, it’s important to have some structure so that the year does not idly pass by without personal growth.

How Trails Momentum could be a good gap year option

If you are someone who is interested in the benefits of a gap year but you aren’t sure of the best path forward, Trails Momentum could be a great option for you. Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Trails Momentum is a co-ed adventure therapy-based wilderness program that empowers young adults ages 18-25 to choose to change for themselves.

Many of the students who come to us have struggled with self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and a fear of leaving their comfort zone. Throughout our innovative programming that combines traditional therapeutic approaches with experiential learning opportunities, our young adults learn to take back control of their lives by playing an active role in their therapeutic process.

At Trails Momentum we emphasize creating authentic relationships, nurturing individual strengths, and empowering our students to make healthy life choices that will put them on a path to success. We offer exciting adventure programming, comprehensive clinical services, engaging academic seminars, and social interactions that help young adults build confidence, work as a team, and improve problem-solving abilities.

For more information on how Trails Momentum could help you, please call (828) 457-8852.

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