In summary: Around 60% of young people would rather do something other than a direct transition to study after secondary school. Many young people struggle with choosing an education. Kaja and Solveig will take a year off and see it as an opportunity to explore other interests and earn money. Counselors at Ålesund Vidaregåande skule fully understand that many young people want to take a gap year, and see it as a valuable experience. Careers counselors advise young people to make a plan for the gap year, fill it with learning and knowledge, and reflect on what they learn. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. On 20 July, those who have applied for study will find out if they have been accepted. But not everyone accepts the study place – and many have not applied either. Kaja Tømmerdal Rennan (18) and Solveig Erstad (19) will take a gap year before they start studying. – There are few people I know who are going to study straight away. Some of the people I know who have done it regret that they didn’t have a year to do something else to find out about the future, says Erstad. Most of the people Erstad and Rennan know have taken or will take a gap year after secondary school. Photo: Frederik Winness Ringnes / news Zero pressure Around 60 per cent of young people would rather, among other things, travel, work, join the military or start a folk college than start directly at higher education, according to statistics from Statistics Norway. They greatly appreciated that there is no pressure or rush to study straight away. – It is very wonderful to know that I have a whole year where I can do other things than what I have been used to in the other 13 years I have been at school. I’m looking forward to exploring, says Erstad. – You also have more to go on when you have your own money for a year, before you start your studies. It opens up more possibilities, adds Rennan. Solveig Erstad is happy to have a whole year without school. She hopes to experience something new. Photo: Frederik Winness Ringnes / news The election came suddenly The reasons for their election are different. Rennan has always been a schoolboy and is happy to do something physical. Erstad felt that it was coming soon to be finished with secondary school. – I’m going to join the military in January, and will take half a year off first when I’m going to work, also half a year off after when I want to travel, before possibly starting to study, says Rennan. – I’m going to work at a care center and earn some money, before I go on a study trip to Rome with a friend, says Erstad. What would you do after graduation? Travel Study Work Military Nothing Folkehøgskule Don’t know Show result Full understanding Counselor at Ålesund Vidaregåande school, Toril Tømmerdal, says that not everyone has decided what they want to study when they finish school. Counselor Toril Tømmerdal has the impression that about half would rather do something other than study after secondary school. Photo: Privat The most common reasons for a year off are to work, travel or join the military, according to Tømmerdal. She goes on to say that most of them have thought about it themselves. – When I, as an adviser, have conversations with the students about a possible gap year, college and university, it is not the case that we advise them not to take a gap year, she says, and adds: – Getting work experience and traveling abroad the world is valuable in itself. In the counseling sessions, we mostly talk about what opportunities they have based on their interests, wishes and other work experiences they have had. The adviser fully understands that many people want to do other things than study straight after 13 years of school. – I think it’s great if they think about having a year off to do something else, if they’re not ready to study. I think it’s a thumbs up, too, says Tømmerdal. Big choice Career law manager Marit Overrein is not surprised that many young people choose a gap year. – Based on the young people we talk to at Karriereveiledning.no, I get the impression that some find it difficult to make a choice. Many people say that it feels big and a little scary to choose an education. Career manager Marit Overrein says that someone needs more time to think about it before studying. Photo: Privat Overrein believes that a year off does not need to be negative on the CV if the year has taught you something. Then you will also be shown that you did something during the period you were not studying, she says. Here are the career counsellor’s tips for a gap year: Make a plan: Think through what kind of consequences the year will have. Fill the year with learning and knowledge: You learn something through everything new you do. Reflect: Ask yourself what is good about the year, whether there is something for you, and what you learn that you can use to make a choice about study. Talk to someone: If you’re unsure, you can talk to someone who doesn’t know you, for example a career guidance counselor. Karriereveiledning.no is public and offers free guidance. Check quota: Check whether you will end up in a first-time quota or ordinary quota next year, if you are going to study. Reserve a study place: If you have applied for education, but want to postpone starting, you can check whether you can reserve your study place. This is possible in some situations. Industry: If you want to work, it might be a good idea to think about what kind of industry you would like to know more about. Both parts: If you are unsure, you can both take up individual subjects at university and have a small job in addition. Then you get a taste of student life and work experience. Erstad is happy and Rennan is looking forward to next year. – I am very much looking forward to it. I think the military and the job will be good, even if the military is a bit tough, says Rennan. – I am of course very excited. Working is something new, because I am very happy to go to school. But I am very happy, not least to be able to travel to Rome, says Erstad. Erstad and Rennan are looking forward to trying a different path than school next year. Photo: Frederik Winness Ringnes / news Published 14.07.2024, at 17.25
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