My After School Experience: What I’m Up To Now

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Going to college, going to uni, starting a job, starting an internship, taking time out, travelling the world, looking after family, looking after yourself…there are loads of different paths to take when you come out of education. But which is right for you? Yasmin shares her experience and gives some advice…

It has taken students great strength to make it through the last two years of education during the pandemic. I graduated Year 13 in the middle of June, hardly knowing how I actually did in my A-levels. Results day is soon and people are still stressed about the unknown. I hope I will be able to provide a sense of clarity and direction to anyone stressed about the outcome of their results, or debating whether to take a gap year.

Originally, I was aiming to begin a course called Scenic Arts at university this September. But when I attempted to write my personal statement for it, I realised it was not truly my passion, and that English Literature and Creative Writing was the degree which resonated with me the most. After the pandemic hit, everything began to shift for me. I definitely needed a long break from education, especially since I am a year back from switching to GCSE from the IB in Year 10. One of the main reasons I decided to take a gap year was because I felt like while A-levels provided me with education and perspective, they weren’t fully aligned to what I needed. There are many topics I’m striving to learn about; ancient mythology and folklore, permaculture, herbalism, gothic and romantic literature, and different eras of art and artistic movements. I would also like to be writing more poetry, blogs, and hopefully a novel or play of some sort.

I felt that A-levels were too structured to truly allow a deeper and more intimate connection to my favourite topics of research. I enjoy completely immersing myself into one or two topics at most, and following the rabbit holes until I find something that clicks in my mind, or creates a deep emotional reaction within me. It’s kind of like searching for parts of myself in a way. 

I also took a gap year for my mental health, as it did deplete very much during the last year of A-levels. I am taking this time to really focus on regaining myself and looking after myself as much as possible before living alone at university.My advice to anyone debating whether to take a gap year or not, would be to listen to your needs, and if that means taking a break, making some money, travelling, making your own art, writing for yourself, or working on some personal projects, you should definitely go for it. However, if you feel like you don’t have any particular pull to do specific things and you just want to continue your higher education, then do that! Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is what you really want, and that it is a decision which will help you to be happiest and most at peace in your life.

If you are planning to travel during your gap year, it is important to understand what  COVID-19 restrictions are in place and how they could possibly limit those plans at quite a sudden notice. I am planning to fly to Portugal in September for one or two months, and I did have to consider the risk before buying my plane ticket, as it might not happen. This can be frustrating and anxiety-inducing, especially as travelling can be quite expensive, so it is important to be aware of your financial circumstances and thoroughly plan ahead to measure how much money you would need for your trip. You could also look at programs such as Workaway and WWOOF which allow people to work for a few hours voluntarily, in exchange for food and a place to sleep. These types of programs can significantly reduce costs when you arrive in your chosen place, but you’d still provide your own travel expenses for plane tickets and getting around the country.  Just make sure to read all of the reviews of each host on the websites and evaluate which ones seem the best value for money, as well as being genuine and trustworthy. 

As we are waiting for our results day, it is important to remember that whatever you get, there are always options to choose from. You have taken all the steps you possibly can to ensure your path for the future, and now all you can do is wait. During this time, make sure to truly allow yourself to relax and regain your inner power and love. You worked as much and as hard as you did, and you can only take action in the present moment to move forward and experience your life. You deserve a break from stress, so it’s a good idea to spend time with loved ones and try to have fun! You have an entire life ahead of you to figure out what you want to do. There is no need to limit yourself to a strict path of college, then a degree, then a masters, PhD, job, find love, get married, have kids Everyone’s journey is different, and remember that the so-called ‘structure’ of life that may have been presented to you since childhood, does not have to be the one you choose to live. Always choose the options which make you feel alive and hopeful...they’re the ones that are worth everything.