The Gap Year Dilemma

Image Courtesy: @z.oemargaret on Instagram

When Sylvia Plath wrote “The Bell Jar,” I’m not sure she realized just how much traction her fig tree analogy would amass. I don’t think she could have imagined how many young women, in the face of early adulthood and on the brink of quarter-life crises, would mark up that page in desperate annotation decades later — she probably thought she was just writing about depression.

They tell you that when you graduate, you have a whole unwritten chapter of life ahead of you. And while that sentiment is supposed to be shared as a comfort, it so often succeeds in doing just the opposite. I mean seriously, the unknown is scary. How the hell could I find solace in it?

While I see mutuals on my LinkedIn accepting job offers or declaring admittance to prestigious graduate programs, all I can think of is how this next year of my life is being held together by nothing more than a tentative outline. All I know is that after four years of living and working on my own, I’m moving back home and taking a gap year as I prepare applications for law school and work to save up cash. And while that plan sounds great in theory, I can’t help but think of all the different reasons people shoot down gap years:

“You’ll lose the academic momentum.”

“It’s unstructured.”

“You might fall behind.”

This is where Plath’s fig tree analogy comes into play. 

I read “The Bell Jar” for the first time the winter of my junior year and, not to be dramatic, but it kind of changed my life. Beyond the scope of an English literature major, it truly reframed my perspective of life as a young woman navigating the highs and lows of adulthood. Moreso, it made me realize that having your professional career reach a standstill post-academic peak seems to be a universal experience.

Image Courtesy: @samefacescollective on Instagram 

Plath showcases that you shouldn't let good things get away from you because you’re too busy chasing what you think should come next in life. I think it’s safe to say that those of us in academia have been programmed to perceive our professional lives as something that should satisfy a “one size fits all” template: you go to school, find a job and stick to that path for the rest of your life. This belief is so limiting and holds so many people back from pursuing different areas of interest they may have. And while this next year of my life seems daunting, I’ve chosen to turn the gap year hysteria on its head and look at this as a chance for growing opportunity. 

I’ve decided to stretch my arms and harvest figs, no matter how different or far out from each other they might be. Here’s an insight into some of the ones I’ll be setting out to explore this next year:

Image Courtesy: Buzzfeed

Writer

Well, duh. I mean, I’m here writing to you right now. But I want to attempt something beyond writing short articles and accomplish something I’ve only ever given thought to: penning a full-fledged novel. Will it be fantasy or nonfiction? That I’m not sure. I just know I’d like to write something beyond the isolated blurbs that exist only within the confines of my notes app.

Image Courtesy: Sebastian Faena, Harper’s BAZAAR

Corporate Baddie

One of my friends graduated this past December with a degree in political science and, get this — now she works in New York City at TikTok as a client solutions planner. And that’s not all … she’s going to law school in the fall. Hello? Could she be any cooler? From Samantha Jones and Jessica Pearson to Miranda Priestly and Annalise Keating, it’s always such a pleasure to see badass bitches climb the corporate ladder. Let’s make it happen off-screen, too.

Image Courtesy: @Briana on Pinterest

Artist

I went to an art high school (no, it was nothing like “Victorious”) and it truly made me grow to despise making art. Pulling all-nighters to pump out mediocre pieces for AP Studio Art took all of the fun and healing out of producing art. Since then, I can say that I’ve created nothing beyond a few skimpy notebook sketches. I say it’s time I get back into it.

Image Courtesy: @sleepyjoe on  Pinterest

There are so many ripening figs waiting to be picked. As we stare out toward the harrowing weeks leading up to graduation, it’s important to remind ourselves one thing: whether you’re taking a gap year or diving head-first into grad school or the workforce, don’t limit yourself and use every opportunity as a chance to make a distant dream come true.

Strike Out,

Writer: Sofia Ramos

Editor: Olivia Hansen

Gainesville

Sofia Ramos is an Editorial Director for Strike Magazine Gainesville. When she's not editing pieces for the blog or carefully organizing her Google Calendar, you might find her browsing the FoodNetwork app for new recipes, jamming to New Order at the local Bar Arcade or curating playlists to read fantasy novels to. Connect with her on Instagram @sofiairamos or by email sofiairamos@outlook.com.