It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

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It is often seen and heard that numerous graduates from lower education levels – colleges, polytechnics, high schools take a
year
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off before entering a university. Many feel that
this
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is a setback for undergraduates as they do not have the proper qualification to enter into the workforce.
However
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, it can be seen as an advantage to them as
this
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result in gaining exposure and insights into the realities of the working world as well as allowing them to be self-reliant. Certainly, perhaps by having a break, these undergraduates may not be able to focus on studying.
For instance
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, it is commonly observed that many find it difficult to get back into the study momentum. Worse, a recent study revealed that 60% of the students who took a
year
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off before joining university had done nothing fruitful. Rather than taking a break after finishing school, a person can take admission in college and get a job after completing his college studies. It will save him a term, helping him to gain hands-on work experience which is more vital than theoretical knowledge.
Therefore
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, it is evident that those who take that path could be wasting their
time
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.
Accept space
.
Yet, taking a gap
year
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off studying can allow these students to work and earn money to pay for school fees.
For example
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, typically, university fees can amount up to approximately nine thousand per academic
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year which
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year, which
is definitely more than the sum paid for lower education. Indeed, many take up full-
time
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jobs – the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector where employers usually pay more, for them to earn as much as they can before resuming back to the studying routine.
Besides
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, students become more independent
instead
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of asking their parents for daily allowance and saving up the salary they earn, as well as thinking twice before spending unnecessarily. By cultivating good habits, they are,
thus
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, able to pay off school fees with the amount they have, proving that taking a gap
year
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can serve as a useful lesson to these graduates.
Moreover
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, students resorting to
such
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measures undoubtedly gain experience and develop skills required for the future.
Furthermore
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, these experiences can be added into their portfolio, which are often sought for by employers in the industry. But, many argue that while they spend the
time
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working, their friends have the upper hand, having the ability to receive adequate tertiary education. In fact, it enables others to enter into the working industry a
year
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faster, where employers value an employee’s degree more than a diploma where the minimum wage level is increased. To conclude, taking a
year
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off can be beneficial to one as these undergraduates are well-equipped and prepared for society once they finish their studies. At the same
time
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, it can be a drawback as they can fall behind if they do not put in extra effort to keep up with their peers during their schooling and delay their
time
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to graduate. After all, the majority of the students need to plan and balance the remaining
time
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they have to enjoy before stepping out into the world.
Submitted by Isabelle Chua on

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Answer the 'Advantages and Disadvantages' topic

IELTS advantages and disadvantages questions normally give you a statement and ask you to comment on the advantages and disadvantages of that statement.

Answer structure for the type of essay

  • Introduction
  • Body paragraph 1 – advantages
  • Body paragraph 2 – disadvantages
  • Conclusion

Examples to start your body paragraph:

  • The main advantage is...
  • The disadvantage of this...
  • The main benefit...
  • Despite these advantages...
  • One possible drawback...

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • gap year
  • work experience
  • internships
  • traveling
  • life experiences
  • personal development
  • independent
  • self-reliant
  • educational progress
  • graduation timeline
  • financial burden
  • academic momentum
  • structured academic environment
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