MANY Wimmera students are embracing the path traditionally less travelled and taking gap years between high school and further education.
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Former Horsham College student Campbell Mason said more people were choosing to take gap years and the idea was growing in acceptance.
He said about a third of his friends had decided to work, travel or take a year to consider their options before taking up study.
“In the last five years I think it’s become reasonably accepted,” he said.
“Everyone was welcoming of my decision.”
His decision comes as University Australia revealed nine years after the 2006 cohort started their studied, only 73.5 per cent had completed a bachelor’s course.
Mr Mason said a year of work will help ensure he is secure in his course decision.
“I’ve deferred a civil engineering course at Deakin University,” he said. “I didn’t plan to defer but I went for a job at a school and was accepted so went with it.
“I think it’ll be easier transitioning to university after a gap year because they’ll be less on my mind and more time to plan for it.
“Financially there are a fair few gains but it also gives you time to settle down and know what you want.”
Former Stawell Secondary student Erin McClure said there had been some negative reactions to her decision but overwhelming gap years were accepted. “My parent’s pushed for me to take a gap year,” she said. “I think it’s become more common. I had a few comments saying once you take a gap year you won’t go back but Stawell is such a small town I’m motivated to move to a city and got to university so I don’t think that will be a problem.”
Ms McClure received a global studies offer from Deakin University but was hoping to receive a second round dual global studies and science offer. She will spend this year waitressing and cleaning in Stawell.
“I think it will definitely help when I get to uni, even help me get a job in Melbourne. It helps with responsibility and gives great work experience.”