What to do during gap year

After long twelve years of waking up and going to school almost every weekday, you finally walked through the doors of what is now your former high school as a learner for the last time on the 26th of November 2018. For that I applaud all of you for walking up in whatever weather condition and make to the classroom. In high school we had a saying that says “pass one pass all”. It worked because the our government made teachers pass some of you even though you failed. Now that you completed your matric, I can say to you welcome to the world where you have to stand for yourself and not expect anyone to lookout for you. In this world there is no saying that says “success for one is success for all”. If you want to be successful you have to work hard and be smart.

Make your gap year productive

Yes it has been long stressful 12 years, and for some of you it has been over 15 years of hell and you want to take a break from studying. There is nothing wrong with taking a gap year. Problem is when you just hang around the hood all year long without doing anything productive. Now here are some of the things you should consider doing in your gap year that will boost your Resume:

Research on what you want to study the following year.

Having knowledge about the field of study that you are interested in is a good thing. It enables you to know all the careers that are associated with it. Through research you can again change your mind and take a different career path. There is a learner right now who will be going to tertiary straight after matric to study a course that he or she will want to change the following year because it is not what he or she wanted or expected. While you are researching it is best to find some of the books that are related to your chosen course so that you become familiar with some of the things that are covered in it.

Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the best things you can do during your gap year to boost you resume. Through it you gain a certain skill that will make a community builder. You do not have to travel far to find work as a volunteer, just go to the nearest day care center and ask to volunteer. It is not only the daycare center, there is a lot of places that you can volunteer at. For some cool volunteering programs visit www.volunteering.org.za

Take a driver’s license and do computer literacy

Driver’s license and a computer literacy certificate are some of the most important things that will look good on your resume. They increase your employability.

Get a job

You cannot keep on asking your parents for airtime money. You have to make your own. During your gap you you can also get yourself a job. There are jobs that are not too demanding out there. With only your matric pass you can land yourself a job and earn up to R8000. The experience you get from that job will work in your favour one day. NB earning is addictive. Without a proper qualification you most likely to end up with jobs that pay you less no matter how skilled you are. With that Job you can be able to save some money to pay for your education. I understand some of you will have to take care of your families and wouldn’t want to quit a job in order to study full time. You can always work full time and register part when registration open in the following year.