So what kind of gap year would suit you best? Our handy, but not-terribly-scientific quiz might help you decide.
1. How are you most likely to spend an unexpected day off?
a) Selling your old DVDs on eBay
b) Cleaning up the rubbish in your local park
c) Hopping on a train and going somewhere new
d) With your nose in a book catching up on some study
2. A friend calls to ask if you can help repair their bike. How do you respond?
a) Say you’ll take care of everything and have it fixed by the end of the day. Then ask what address you should send the invoice to
b) As above, but without the invoice
c) Agree to help but explain you can only spare 15 minutes before you head out to climb a Munro
d) Ask if they can leave it until next week. You’ll be happy to help once you’ve finished reading ‘Bicycle Repairs for Dummies’
3. Which of the following are you most likely to watch?
a) Dragons' Den
b) The Secret Millionaire
c) An Idiot Abroad
d) TED lectures
4. How do you dress for a big night out?
a) Suit
b) Jeans and t-shirt
c) Shorts, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops
d) I don’t really do big nights out
5. Which of these are you most likely to have?
a) An iPad so you can be constantly connected and never miss an email or video call
b) An MBE for services to the community
c) A passport full of stamps from interesting and exotic destinations
d) A PhD
Your result
Mostly As: It’s all about the bottom line for you and there’s nothing wrong with that. A gap year spent working might make further education more affordable or give you an insight into what the career you fancy is actually like. If you save up your wages, you could also do some traveling towards the end of the year.
Mostly Bs: Seems like you enjoy putting others first. A gap year based around volunteering could be right up your street. The skills and experience could help you get into work or onto a course. And you’ll get some good karma too... if you believe in that sort of thing!
Mostly Cs: Wow, check out the itchy feet. You don’t hang about in one place for long do you? Maybe a gap year doing some travel would be worth thinking about (just remember to send us a postcard).
Mostly Ds: Education, education, education seems to be your mantra. Investigate some study opportunities, which might help get you into a job or the right college or uni course. But don’t work TOO hard!
What next?
Read Is a gap year calling you? to figure out how to turn your experience into a job.
Need to earn some money to fund your gap year? Check out our job hunting section.
When you’re ready to apply for a job, My CV can help you build a CV that will impress employers.
