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 When your gap experience is over and the dust has settled, and you are safely back at home it can be difficult to settle down at first.
It is best to prepare in advance for this, either before you go on your gap experience or during your gap. If you are returning to stay with your parents you will have pressure to conform to their rules again, which may be very difficult for all concerned after the freedom you have enjoyed whilst you were away. So best think of the realities and plan your actions and reactions NOW!
During your gap year you should develop a much better idea of who you are and what you want to achieve and experience in your life (especially if you take a Design Your Life™ course or other structured experience). You will then be able to build upon that improved self image and concept, to use and leverage the knowledge and experiences you have gained whilst away, and to benefit from the many new and interesting people you have met who may be of assistance to you in your career or studies. You can still do new things and have incredible experiences after your gap year – the only difference is that you probably will have less time to do things.
The suggestions below are based upon the advice from many gappers who all struggled to adjust back into their daily lives and routines. Look at them often whilst you are on your gap year/experience so that you are not only ready to return home, but also looking forward to getting on with things after your gap year.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE OR DURING YOUR GAP TO PREPARE FOR YOUR AFTER-GAP LIFE!
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Keep a journal/diary to record your experiences, thoughts, and ideas, and to write down/record the contact details of people you meet. Low tech is probably better than high tech if you are going to a less-developed country (i.e. a paper journal and pencil is more reliable than a cell phone, laptop or PDA as no batteries are required!)
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Regularly think of how your experiences that day/week can be of use to you in the future, and write your ideas down
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Record the details of places you would like to see and visit that you are now missing (for whatever reason) on your travels, and also record ideas of jobs/holidays that come to mind during your gap
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As you identify new-found passions, interests and abilities as a result of your gap experiences write them down (a common theme!) so that you can later reflect on how to plan your career and life to pursue those passions and interests, and to use the talents and abilities that you have
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Buy quality equipment and clothing (and look after it all) so that you have the option of selling them after your travels for a reasonable return
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Write down/record the names of people in your photographs – you won’t remember all of them!
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Be open to change, whether it be in terms of what you had planned, or to take advantage of opportunities that come along
HOW TO USE YOUR GAP YEAR EXPERIENCES TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Once you are back in your world after your gap experience there are simple steps and strategies to follow to ensure that the knowledge and experiences you have gained are actively used to promote your studies and/or career.
- Schedule reminders into your calendar to stay in touch with the people you met during your gap experience. They will be a continual source of friendship and opportunity to you
- Is there something you have learned and/or done that you can teach to others (based upon the principle of See One, Do One, Teach One)? Perhaps work for a gap year organisation using the skills you have acquired? Don’t be afraid to ask, even if they are not apparently hiring. The better organisations always make space for people with the right talent and attitude
- On your resume/CV stress what you have done and learned as a result of your gap experience, and briefly explain how those skills would benefit any organisation
- Work part time on your second/next career as you begin working in your first/next full time career, i.e. study part time, or volunteer part time to acquire the necessary experience and skills you think you'll need when it’s time to move on to your next career. Most young people will have at least 5 different careers over the course of their lifetimes
- Continually develop, practise and refine your people skills, as you can never be good enough in this area, whether it be personally or professionally
- Compile an album/develop a blog to share photos and writings of your gap year experiences with your friends and family
- Sell your used equipment (such as your cell phone, digital camera, iPod, backpack, sleeping bag) soon after you get back before they become relics!
- Be a mentor to others who are thinking of taking a gap or who are already on a gap
- Plan your holidays so that you build upon the experiences of your gap year. Plan too to share your holidays with people you met during your gap year, to build upon the existing relationships and pursue any potential opportunities. Visit the places you couldn't go to during your gap year due to a lack of money or time
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