Bridging the Gap: Seniors Choosing a Different Route

Natalie Johnston and a friend in Hawaii during Johnston’s gap semester. “I was gone for 6 months, and I went to a program called Youth With A Mission (YWAM),” said Johnston. “I spent 3 months in Hawai’i, and then I went to Nepal for 3 months.” Photo credits: Natalie Johnston

Bethany Atwood, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

The paths a senior can take following graduation are many, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed or lost in the options. College, trade school, and the military are just a few popular paths, but not every senior finds the fit they’re looking for through these opportunities. Because of this, many seniors choose to take a gap year, a break between high school and college or between high school and a career. This time can be spent traveling, volunteering, and working on personal growth.

With so many opportunities available for Watauga students, it’s no surprise some choose to take a gap year following graduation. Taking time to figure out what to do long-term is beneficial for many students juggling the vast options.

“I was thinking vaguely about taking a gap year for a while because I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do in college,” said Watauga High School senior Edie Berke. “I feel like there's such a rush and a push to go to college and prepare for your career and know what you want out of life immediately out of high school, and this is giving me a chance to slow down, learn more about myself, and really think things through before I go to college.”

Berke is pursuing her gap year through a Christian missions-based organization called Compass. Through this program, Berke will begin her time in Baraboo, Wisconsin, before wrapping up the program with a trip to Ecuador. Although the trip involves traveling and adventures, it’s also intentional in its desire to prepare students with practical life skills.

“It's going to be almost like a summer camp, where they take you on outdoor adventures, and there are some recreation opportunities on the campus,” said Berke. “They teach you some survival and wilderness skills before they take you on the trip, and a lot of the year is just having adventures. They also have classes that teach you basic adult skills like doing your taxes and changing the oil on your car.”

Although gap years can be incredibly fulfilling and life-changing, it’s also important to have a clear plan to avoid falling behind and losing momentum. Having a path set for after your gap year can be crucial to maintaining your pace following the gap year.

“I'm definitely going to go to college after Compass, but I still don't know where yet,” said Berke. “As of now, I'm going to study either criminology or forensics, but that might change in a year. That's one of the things I'm excited to see.”

A volcano (Kīlauea) erupting on the Hawaiian island. “In Hawaii, there was one day when the volcano was erupting, and so we all crammed into this one big truck and went to the volcano and saw it,” said Johnston. Photo credits: Natalie Johnston

Time overseas is a popular option for those pursuing a gap year and can be influential, leading to self-growth and offering a completely new and exciting view of the world. Natalie Johnston, Watauga Class of 2025, decided to pursue a gap semester overseas in Nepal and Hawaii before returning to North Carolina this year.

“I think I've grown a lot, like my confidence and boldness in public speaking and just being able to communicate better,” said Johnston. 

Whether students decide to take a gap year or go to school, the most important thing is knowing which opportunity is the best fit. While some people thrive on the college or trade route, others find their purpose during a gap year.

“So many people tell you that you have to have it all together, and you have to know what you're doing, but the reality is we're all so young still, and taking a gap year is not the end of the world,” said Natalie Johnston. “Just go and experience the world and go and travel and do something that you love, because college will always still be there, and there will still always be so many opportunities.”