Thinker's Chronicle

10 Ways to Keep Busy After Taking A Gap After High School

After graduating from high school a few months ago, a chapter of my life is done. It’s so shocking to realize how fast time has flown by.

Now, I’m taking a 6 month break before I venture into another chapter, university. It’s important to take a break once you’re done with high school because your body and mind really need to recharge, and you need the time to thoroughly plan out your university major.

I came up with a list of activities you might enjoy taking part in during your gap break:

Take some rest.

    Let’s be real honest, high school was exhausting. We sacrificed our hours of sleep so that we could read a bit more for our exams and tests. Now that this chapter is over, please take time to reset your sleep schedule. Your body and mind really need to sleep enough.

    Try new hobbies.

    It’s always exciting to learn something new. Try learning a new language like Spanish, pick up an instrument, or try baking and cooking. Find an activity you’d like to be good at and just do it. In the end, your interest might make it worthwhile.

    Figuring out your major for university.

    After finishing high school, the next phase is most likely university. You might receive the big question: what do you want to study in university from your family and friends. Choosing a major can be challenging, which is why it’s important to really think through majors that interest you. Don’t let your environment pressure you into studying a major your heart is not into. Consider both your ability and interest when choosing a major. 

    Try volunteering.

    It’s always good to give back to your community. Take some time to research organizations you could volunteer in. Volunteering will boost your social skills as you interact with the people within your community.

    Pursue a short course.

    During your gap break, possibly take up a short course on a subject of interest. If you’re interested in baking, try to enroll in a baking class.  If technology interests you, maybe consider a coding course or even an international digital literacy course. 

    Spend time with your family and friends

    When you were in high school, your academic workload probably got in the way of some quality time with your loved ones. Now that you’re done, how about you recover some of that time. From simply cooking dinner to enjoying a game night , there are so many activities that you can take part in to bond with your family. When it comes to friends, make plans to meet up at a favorite spot: how about a restaurant for a lunch date or the cinema for a movie? It’s also great to keep in touch via social media. 

    How about a job?

    As you plan for university or for your future, you’ll realize how costly it can be, so  getting a job could potentially be really helpful in catering for college funds or for future plans. 

    Become a YouTuber.

    Now that you’re on a break, you can venture into the world of YouTube. All you need to figure out is what your channel will focus on, and once you’ve made a plan, all you need to do is start. Share your first video and over time, your channel will grow in numbers.

    How about an internship?

    Internships offer you the opportunity to develop your soft skills.

    Maybe if you’re interested in pursuing law, for example, you could find an internship in a law firm in your area so that you get firsthand experience of the daily life of a law student.

    Work on yourself.

    Take this break to elevate yourself simply to ensure you’re taking care of body and mind. Eat healthy, drink water frequently, and keep both your mind and body active. Consider meditating/praying and exercising consistently. 

    I hope these activities will keep you busy and allow you to make the most out of your break after graduating high school.

    Natasha Waithera Wainaina