The benefits of a gap year after sixth form

After years of dedicated studying and countless exams, many students find themselves at a crossroads after completing their sixth-form education. While some may jump straight into university, others are opting for a different path - taking a gap year. This trend is gaining popularity, and for good reason. A gap year can offer a multitude of benefits that can shape a person's future in profound ways. 

Here are some tips on the benefits of a gap year after sixth form.

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery: A gap year allows students to step away from the academic grind and explore their interests, passions, and identity. Traveling, volunteering, or working can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

 

Cultural Enrichment: Like the practices of many from this private school in Cambridge, traveling during a gap year exposes young adults to different cultures, languages, and ways of life. This exposure fosters open-mindedness and cross-cultural understanding, qualities that are increasingly valuable in today's globalised world.

 

Work Experience: Many students use their gap year to gain work experience in their chosen field. This practical experience can make them more competitive when they eventually enter the job market or continue their education.

 

Improved Academic Focus: Taking a break from formal education can refresh a student's perspective and enhance their motivation to excel in future academic endeavours. A gap year can also help students clarify their career goals.

 

Development of Life Skills: Living independently, managing finances, and making decisions without parental guidance are vital life skills. A gap year provides an opportunity to develop and strengthen these skills, preparing students for the challenges of adulthood.

 

Resume Enhancement: Employers and universities often view gap year experiences as valuable. Volunteer work, internships, or travel experiences can make a resume stand out from the crowd, demonstrating a well-rounded and adventurous spirit.

 

Mental Health and Well-being: The pressure of continuous education can take a toll on a student's mental health. A gap year can offer the chance to decompress, reduce stress, and focus on mental and emotional well-being.

 

Networking Opportunities: Whether through travel or work, a gap year can lead to valuable networking connections that can shape one's future career or academic pursuits.

 

Language Skills: Immersing oneself in a foreign country provides an ideal environment for language acquisition. Bilingualism or multilingualism is a valuable skill in many professions.

 

In conclusion, taking a gap year after sixth form offers a myriad of benefits that extend beyond just a break from formal education. It's an opportunity for personal growth, exploration, skill development, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. While the decision to take a gap year should be well thought out and planned, it can ultimately be a transformative and enriching experience that sets the stage for a successful future.

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A weekend of falling in love with the Peak District

The other weekend we went off to the Peak District for a family celebration. 

Jon's parents rented a house in Litton and invited friends and family to join them in celebrating 50 years of marriage.

Whilst we were there we decided to spend the day times exploring the surrounding areas.

On the Saturday we headed into Castleton to visit Peak Caverns.

We were all blown away with how pretty the landscape was and how gorgeous the villages were.

We literally walked around gobsmacked.

Castleton was gorgeous and we had a lovely cup of tea and some cakes in Dolly's Tea House. The weather was lovely so we all sat outside to make sure we soaked up as much of the gorgeous setting as possible.

By the time we had all finished it was time to head to the cavern for the next tour.

The Cavern holds hourly guided tours, there are many caverns in the Peak District but this was one of a few that Bea could go into as a few are for children 4+.

All the boys loved exploring the cavern, Oscar got to make a rope washing line, the same way the rope makers used to do back in the day.

They were very amused by the name of the cavern which was the 'Devil's Arse'.

Ru even got a hat with the name on and all throughout the tour they were giggling away, even when they got to the Devil's Arse which apparently does have a farting season, which much to the boy's disappointment had finished 9 weeks ago.

Bea loved going deeper into the cave and even Noah was taking lots of his own pictures to show off to his mates.

When a teenager is having a good time, you've defiantly picked a great day out.

On the way back to the house we drove through Winnats Pass, it was stunning!

To be honest you could drive around the Peak District and be stunned by everything.

We had planned to head into Bakewell to pick up some Bakewell tarts but the roads were all closed off due to the village carnival.

Back at the house, everyone got ready for the evening meal which was being cooked by a chef.

The kids were all very excited for a fancy meal.

The dinner was lovely and it was great to hear some lovely speeches.

On the Sunday, before we headed back to Norfolk we made a pitstop at Bakewell, as we needed those Bakewell tarts to make the trip complete.

Another gorgeous village to wander around and some very lovely shops.

The boys loved the old-fashioned sweet shops and Bea loved the toy shop, Ru was able to get some Prime in one of the corner shops and we managed to buy some tarts for the journey home.

We had such an amazing time and we shall be returning back to the Peak District to do even more exploring in the not too distant future.

 

5 Outdoor Learning Activities for Children

 Outdoor learning provides a range of benefits to children, playing a vital role in their overall education and development. It teaches them that learning can happen in lots of environments, not just inside the four walls of a classroom, which opens their eyes to a whole host of new opportunities. 

What’s more, learning outdoors can help young people develop a sense of respect for the environment, which we could certainly use more of in recent years. An independent school in Buckinghamshire have the following suggestions for outdoor activities to get you started. 

 

1.     Build a Bird Feeder

 Building a bird feeder is a great way to entice some feathered friends into your garden. It’s easy to do and fun for everyone. There are lots of ways to do it, like with an empty milk carton or an old teacup and saucer – have a look online for some inspiration. You could even invest in a pair of binoculars so that your child can keep an eye on it and learn about different species of bird.

 

2.     Survival Skills

 

A great outdoor activity that many of us remember from our own childhood is building a den out of twigs and leaves. You could also teach them how to read a map or even camp out for the weekend.

 

3.     Prepare a Scavenger Hunt

 Write a list of some items exclusive to the outdoor, like a sycamore leaf, an acorn, a conker etc. Take your child and some of their friends for a trip to the woods and have them find the items on your list. The first one to find all of the items could win a prize. Allow them to work in teams if that helps. This is not only a fun activity, but it also teaches children about nature and how to participate in healthy competition. 

 

4.     Grow Your Own

 

Planting fruit and vegetables will only work at certain times of the year, but it’s a rewarding activity that teaches kids about patience and persistence.

 

5.     Observe Some Bugs

 

Head to the woods with a magnifying glass and allow your child to observe the bugs. Ask them to count how many they can see and talk to you about the kind of habitat they like to survive in. You could even encourage your child to write their observations down in a diary. 

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Are You Making Enough Memories With Your Kids?

One thing you really notice as soon as you have children is that time starts to fly by. And, given the busy lifestyles we lead and the pressures we are all under to ‘raise our kids right,’ there are often things that we miss due to those time constraints.

Many households have both parents working, for example, and it often means that one - or both - will end up missing important events because of work. And there is the constant pressure to get the kids to bed at the right time, develop a healthy routine, and equip them with the life skills they need to progress. In short, it’s a minefield, which many parents struggle with.

However, while work and bringing up your children in the right manner is important, so is having the time to spend with to create memories. In the future, your child won’t remember that awesome day they spent playing on Daddy’s iPad. But they will remember the sights, smells, and feelings of an excellent day out at the beach or a fantastic holiday.

It’s experiences they will cherish, and it’s up to you to create an environment where their memories of childhood are happy. With this in mind, here are some simple suggestions to help you and your family create fantastic memories you can all cherish long into the future.

Via- pixabay

Night time stories

Regardless of how busy you are as parents, never neglect the bedtime story - and always read books with your kids whenever you have a spare five minutes. Storytelling is one of the most powerful and memorable things we do as humans, and it’s vital for your child’s development.

Conversations

Be honest - how much do you actually converse with your kids? It can be tough when you are a busy parent. And, if you are anything like the average mum or dad, most of your communication will involve giving orders rather than having a chat. But conversation helps kids develop their cognitive and memory-making skills, and gives them a chance to remember awesome things they have been doing that day. Not only that, but it gives them a voice and a sense of independence - so, chat more; instruct less!

Via - pixabay

Photographs

I have vivid memories of poring through photo albums as a child. Even now when I look at them, I can remember vividly about the occasion when many shots were taken. And it’s struck me recently how things have changed nowadays. Your photos are on Facebook or Instagram now, or in a folder on your home PC - not in the traditional family album. So, don’t just take photos - print them. Arrange a few family photo shoots for special occasions, and keep them safe for the future. While the digital realm has its advantages, I think the traditional family photo album deserves to make a comeback.

Adventures

As I mentioned above, the biggest and best memories we have from our childhoods are all based on experiences rather than physical products or general entertainment. Holidays, exciting days out, exploring the countryside - they are all great ways of giving your kids fantastic memories they will live with for a long time. Adventure doesn’t have to cost you money, too - so there are no excuses for not finding the time!

**This is a collaborative post.