You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people do not go directly to college but travel or work for a short time.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.
You should write at least 250 words.
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Sample Essay 1
The path from high school to university is traditionally a direct one; however, a trend of embracing a sabbatical period, commonly referred to as a 'gap year', is emerging amongst today’s youth. This period of deferral is often characterized by travel, work, or voluntary service, and in my opinion, the manifold advantages significantly eclipse the potential drawbacks.
Foremost among the merits of a gap year is the unparalleled opportunity for maturation and self-reflection it provides. The act of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, be it through humanitarian projects in underprivileged communities or navigating foreign terrains, cultivates resilience and self-sufficiency. Anecdotal evidence suggests that individuals who immerse themselves in cultures disparate from their own during this hiatus often return with enriched worldviews and a clarified sense of purpose. This maturation is not merely transformative on a personal level but is also highly coveted in academic and professional domains.
Moreover, the vocational clarity and the acquisition of practical skills that a gap year affords cannot be overstated. Engagement in the workforce, prior to entering the hallowed halls of university, endows young adults with a pragmatic understanding of their field of interest. This direct experience often translates into a more focused and purpose-driven academic endeavor upon their return to formal education.
Admittedly, the diversion from academic pursuits carries inherent risks, such as a potential waning of scholarly drive or even the complete abandonment of higher education plans. Yet, these risks are mitigated by structured planning and the setting of tangible objectives for the gap year. When approached with deliberation, the hiatus can serve as a powerful bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application, thereby enhancing the university experience.
In conclusion, the gap year, when harnessed correctly, offers a mosaic of benefits that far outweigh the temporary postponement of academic studies. It arms young individuals with a fortified sense of identity, practical aptitudes, and a rejuvenated zeal for learning. Thus, a well-executed gap year is not a detour but a launching pad for academic and professional excellence.
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Sample Essay 2
In an era marked by an ever-accelerating pace of life, it is intriguing that a counter-movement is gaining traction, where a growing faction of youth opt to diverge from the conventional pathway to higher education. These individuals are embracing the choice to postpone their college enrollment, opting instead to travel or work for a short time. This essay will argue that the advantages of this burgeoning trend far surpass the disadvantages.
The decision to delay college to gain real-world experience can, at first glance, appear counterintuitive in a society that prizes swift academic progression. However, when young people do not go directly to college, they are often propelled by an urge to break the mold, to indulge in the vast classroom of life itself. Engaging in the school of travel, they glean lessons from the rich tapestry of global cultures, history, and human interaction that no university lecture hall could parallel. For instance, navigating the complexities of a foreign language in its native setting sharpens cognitive abilities and fosters a degree of empathy and adaptability that is highly sought-after in today’s globalized workforce.
In parallel, those who work for a short time before embarking on their academic journeys frequently amass a cache of professional acumen and financial stability. This real-world exposure often translates into a more purposeful approach to their eventual studies, having witnessed the practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Anecdotal evidence and case studies elucidate that such students frequently exhibit a heightened level of maturity and focus upon their return to academia, which can lead to superior academic outcomes.
Admittedly, there exists a fear that an interlude spent away from academic environments might dull one’s scholarly ambitions. Nonetheless, this perspective overlooks the invigorating effects of a well-spent gap period. When undertaken with clarity of purpose and a spirit of exploration, the hiatus can amplify an individual’s motivation and crystallize their academic and career goals.
To conclude, the contemporary inclination among young individuals to explore and labor prior to university is not just a mere delay in their educational timeline but a strategic enrichment of it. The virtues of this endeavour - be it the acquisition of worldly wisdom or the attainment of financial grounding - make a compelling case for its widespread adoption.
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Sample Essay 3
Some students take a break after high school to do a short-term work or to travel to their favourite destinations before starting their tertiary education. Though this approach helps students build an invaluable network, it causes a serious disruption in their academic progression which outweighs any associated positive effects.
The primary advantage of pupils opting to have a gap-year before going to university is that they get the opportunity to meet new people. It enables them to move with these people and build relationship, allowing them to gather skills to deal with people from different age groups, backgrounds, and cultures. Such experience aids these youngsters later in life when they start their career after their graduation. For instance, a study conducted by the University of Cambridge reveals that graduates who took a break to work or to make new friends prior to their university education are more comfortable at their first job after completing their degree. However, I believe that such a break after high school education have some serious ramifications to consider.
The main drawback of this development is that these young pupils start their first job after graduation later than the students who did not take a break before attending university. Since the students, who opt for working or travelling before entering college, spend a year or so to gain some hands-on learning and making new connections, which causes a delay in starting their tertiary education. As a result, it takes more time for them to complete graduation and join their desired new job. To illustrate, since I did not take a break after high school, I was able to start my career at the age of 22, whereas my best friend who decided to travel before enrolling in his bachelor’s degree started his graduate job at the age of 25. Therefore, I believe this study break delays youngsters’ progress in their career.
To conclude, joining at workforce or travelling around might give some workplace experience and interaction with diverse range of people; however, it comes at the cost of invaluable smooth academic progression and expected employment in time. Thus, the drawbacks of delaying university entry far outweigh the associated benefits.
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Essay Sample 4
Nowadays, travelling or working for some time before joining a college is preferred by many people. There are both benefits and downsides of this approach, it gives students a precious hands-on learning experience, however, this practical lesson comes at the cost of their smooth academic journey. This essay believes that working for a short period or exploring the world before starting a university life is more advantageous in the long run.
People can gain practical lessons on various technologies, trends, and career options when they decide to opt for a short time job before entering university. This allows them to gauge market competition and learn other nuances of their target professional fields, which eventually help them to choose their future career options. In fact, majority of the employees who perform better in their profession, are the ones who took a gap and decided to work for a short period of time. Moreover, apart from working, the people who choose to travel different places become better in dealing with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. This amazing skill helps them in their career if they pursue people management or human resource stream.
On the contrary, not undergoing higher studies at the right time could somewhat affect academic result and career prospects. Many students, who take a short break before entering university, end up with a poorer grade than that of the regular students. Moreover, these students might be barred from entering some colleges, because their courses are supposed to be pursued without any gap year. In addition, a break in studies might also restrict people from joining some companies where a continuous academic progression is mandatory. Therefore, sometimes it is better to continue a higher education, rather than taking a short break.
In conclusion, though it comes at the cost of undisrupted academic progression, a short break for work or travel before starting a university gives the students an incredible opportunity to perceive real-world scenarios. Weighing in all the options, this essay asserts that opting for this break is obviously a wiser decision, as it helps to gain a better career in the long run.
Sample Essay 5
Some students take a break after high school to do a short-term work or to travel to their favourite destinations before starting their tertiary education. I strongly agree with this idea because it familiarizes them with the employment market that helps them make studied decisions regarding their career.
Initially, pupils finish school when they are at 17 while they are less aware of their surroundings. Apart from career counselling, they hardly ever find any clue where to study or which profession to opt in terms of future career. Therefore, I firmly believe that taking a year out will definitely give the experience and make them more mature to decide themselves which profession they are eager to master. For example, travelling at least two or three countries or taking a short internship, especially in offices, will absolutely help students witness and conceive realities of the life. It hammers young people to be determined about the career in order not to regret about their choice later.
In addition, one may not want to start a university having seen the real requirements of the job. It is especially true for those who build their career as a mechanic, a plumber or a carpenter and so on. Only a short-term vocational school program will enable them to begin their career. We can also meet people who learnt programming languages and commenced working in an IT company without a university degree. In fact, after spending a year or two to gain some hands-on learnings, if the young adults decide to join a university course, their subject choice and study approach will be more effective than that of others because the returnees are good at relating the theoretical knowledge with the associated practical applications.
To conclude, young people should take a gap year either you decide to travel or to work. In any case, you will get certain experience that will make one sure where to go, which profession to choose and which career path to follow.
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