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Zali
Student
Beaufort, South Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What percent of students take a gap year in the field of psychology? I’m a senior in high school and curious if I should take a year off before starting my major? #Fall25
What percent of students take a gap year in the field of psychology? I’m a senior in high school and curious if I should take a year off before starting my major? #Fall25
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1 answer
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1207
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Zali!
Contrary to popular belief, taking a year off before beginning a psychology degree is quite common. Many psychology students decide to take a year off to work, volunteer, travel, or just find clarity about their direction; however, precise numbers vary by school and nation. Since psychology is a people-centered discipline, practical experience, whether in youth programs, community service, mental health support positions, or even part-time work that builds interpersonal skills, often becomes beneficial after you start your major.
Additionally, taking a gap year can help you become more focused and mature when you start college. Because they have had time to explore their interests, students who intentionally take that time typically begin their psychology classes with a stronger sense of purpose. Whether or not you take a gap year is not as important as how you use it. It's not a deviation; rather, it's smart preparation if the year helps you develop, strengthens your discipline, and exposes you to human behavior in real settings.
A gap year can allow you to make informed choices rather than jumping right into a major if you're not sure what you want to do. Additionally, you can start right away and develop clarity along the way if you already feel motivated and prepared for college. Both paths are acceptable. The greatest option is the one that will enable you to succeed professionally, personally, and academically.
Best wishes!
Contrary to popular belief, taking a year off before beginning a psychology degree is quite common. Many psychology students decide to take a year off to work, volunteer, travel, or just find clarity about their direction; however, precise numbers vary by school and nation. Since psychology is a people-centered discipline, practical experience, whether in youth programs, community service, mental health support positions, or even part-time work that builds interpersonal skills, often becomes beneficial after you start your major.
Additionally, taking a gap year can help you become more focused and mature when you start college. Because they have had time to explore their interests, students who intentionally take that time typically begin their psychology classes with a stronger sense of purpose. Whether or not you take a gap year is not as important as how you use it. It's not a deviation; rather, it's smart preparation if the year helps you develop, strengthens your discipline, and exposes you to human behavior in real settings.
A gap year can allow you to make informed choices rather than jumping right into a major if you're not sure what you want to do. Additionally, you can start right away and develop clarity along the way if you already feel motivated and prepared for college. Both paths are acceptable. The greatest option is the one that will enable you to succeed professionally, personally, and academically.
Best wishes!