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Taking a gap year

Many students go on to university immediately after completing their final school exams. However, there are also a lot of young people who prefer to take a gap year first. There are arguments for both options. To help you make the right choice, we look at both sides!

What should you consider when taking a gap year? How can you ensure you get the most out of the year? And what can you do during that year? Students and parents often have many questions about gap years. Your parents or guardians may wonder whether a gap year is necessary and useful, while you may have a good idea of how you want to spend that gap year. Or you may want to use that time to think about what you want to study. 

What is a gap year, and when should you take one?


There are various reasons why you might want to take a gap year:

  • You are not yet sure what you want to study.
  • You would like to travel.
  • You want to do voluntary work.
  • You want to combine work with, for example, travelling, taking a course or spending some time abroad.


By preparing for your gap year, you can make the most out of the year ahead of you! 

Are you sure you want to take a gap year, but your parents are not convinced? We know that students who have taken a gap year perform just as well in their studies as students who have not. That's one concern you can easily take away!

What can you do to prepare for a gap year?

It is useful to think in advance about why you want to take a gap year. For example, are you still unsure about what you want to study? Then use that year to prepare yourself properly. You could visit an open day or become a student for a day at our university. 

You can also think about what skills you want to acquire during your gap year. For example, becoming more independent, taking on more responsibility, working on your mental health or learning a new language: you can do it all during your gap year!  

Discuss this with your parents, family members or caregivers. They can probably also help you think about what you need to get off to a good start in your studies after your gap year! 

Information for parents about a gap year

  • What are the reasons for taking a gap year?

    Your child may have various reasons for wanting to take a gap year. Perhaps they need more time to choose the right study programme for themselves. Or maybe your child is not (yet) interested in studying, because they do not feel ready for it yet. Whatever the reason, it is important that you listen carefully and do not let your objections or fears get in the way. Once you understand what is going on, you will be in a much better position to help. Ask your child what skills they want to learn during their gap year. It may be good for your child to become more independent and take on more responsibility, or work on their motivation or mental health, to prepare them for life as a student. They can also use this time to make a well-considered choice of which study programme suits them best, or earn money to pay for their studies. The question is: what is best for your child and what does your child need in order to be prepared to start their life as a student?

  • How can I help my child make the most of their gap year?

    It is very important to make a plan together with your child (or let them do it themselves) to ensure that their gap year is well spent and useful. This will prevent your child from taking any further steps in a year. Getting a job and some travelling are not enough to be prepared for your gap year, so making a plan ahead helps. If your child has not yet chosen a course of study, schedule time to visit open days or attend taster days. If your child wants to travel, discuss how this can be organised and what it will cost. Many organisations and coaches can help make the most of a gap year.    

  • How can I help my child choose the right study programme?

    It makes sense that you want to help your child choose the right study programme for them. Your child will probably already have come a long way on their own, but to give parents some guidance as well, we at VU Amsterdam have created a special information page for parents. You can also recommend that your child try the VU Study Inspirator (or do it together). The VU Study Inspirator gives students several study programmes that would suit them well, based on their interests, hobbies and motivation! 

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