User:English2dekruiff/sandbox

A gap year is the time students take off from school to "find" themselves and discover what they plan on doing with their future or just take a break before starting college courses. Gap year's aren't as popular in the United States as they are in European countries.Students who take a gap year report back feeling happy and content with their jobs. A gap year doesn't necessarily mean taking off a whole year. Most gap year's come to an end within three to twelve months. . Many parents worry their students will get off track from school if their students partake in a gap year. however, 90 percent of students do return to college within that year and their academics improve compared to students who didn't partake in a gap year. The concept of a gap year wasn't popularized until the Obamas announced that their eldest daughter Malia Obama would be taking a gap year before attending Harvard university in the fall of 2017. After her announcement it has increased the trend in students who decided to take a gap year.

Universities such as Harvard and Princeton are encouraging students to take a Gap year. This time that is taken off can be beneficial so students don't "burn out" or partake in indulging behaviors that promote unhealthy stress.