A Park Lane Graduate, Class of ’23, Ori G took a gap year after completing her IB Diploma before she went off to university.
Here is what she had to say:
Your reasons for taking a gap year?
The reason I took a gap year was to explore what I wanted to pursue in the future. The gap year reinforced my decision to study Psychology at University.
How well did that work out and how beneficial was it?
I believe taking a gap year was beneficial, as it meant that I could take a break and explore new things. I advanced my skills in teaching, time management, and adapting to my students’ needs, which are skills that I will use in my job in the future.
What did you do with regard to working at Park Lane and any other activities outside of school?
In Park Lane, I worked in the SEND team, where I worked one-on-one with some amazing students. I also worked in the library, where the older students could come and ask for subject-specific help. Outside of school, I dedicated a lot of time to tutoring for Maths, Sciences, and English. I enjoyed this because it challenged me to be creative with teaching approaches and it was rewarding because of the students’ progress.
What did it mean for your university applications?
Taking a gap year removes any worry from university applications – since I had already received my grades, I got unconditional offers. It also meant that I could spend more time on university essays and entrance exams.
Any advice for students considering a gap year?
For anyone considering taking a gap year, I would recommend that you choose a position that would give you job experience in an area you would like to pursue. This will help test whether you actually want to follow this career path as well as look great on your CV!
How is it going at university now, tell us how you are getting on?
I am very happy at the University of Amsterdam! I believe that my subject choices in IB prepared me for this course and that the gap year helped me handle the responsibilities of living alone.