When I see people cry about Mondays, I get distressed because: I like accomplishing tasks and challenging myself.
Others are getting the opportunity to go out and do something productive. I’m one of the drop-year kids.
In all honesty, I’m not ashamed to be on a drop year. Yes, it does get me all the fake sympathy and motivation and lots of “aww” from inconsequential people, and it also gets me tons of questions like, “why didn’t you take admission to any other college? Why didn’t you opt for another course? Do employers even consider drop-year kids?” But none of it puts me down. Taking a drop year was my own choice, and I still am an aspiring lawyer wishing to study abroad.
I won’t deny that taking a drop year to work on my resume to apply to the finest law schools in the UK wasn’t a hard decision. But all I know is that everything would be worth it. I didn’t drop a year, and I just earned one to work on my well-being.
Being one drop-year can be fun/depressing/life-changing/rewarding/unrewarding; it depends on the person taking the drop year. But since we are taking a drop-year, we should strive to make it the best for ourselves so that it puts us at an advantage in the future.
Valuable Tips for Drop-Year Kids
Here are a few tips to get you going through the quivering boat of your drop-year.
1. Be an Eternal Optimist
Think positively! Don’t let any negativity bring you down. Please don’t bother about the fun other kids have at college; assure yourself that you’ll have twice the fun they’re having now. Cut out all the negativity of any form from your life. It’s unhealthy.
2. Read Extensively
You have a year with you. Read! A lot, Educate yourself. Don’t restrict yourself to the course books, but read anything you can lay your hands and eyes on. It will not only enhance your general knowledge but your vocabulary too!
3. Strategize
Start by dividing your work into portions. Read continuously for nearly 15-20 minutes and reward yourself with a break of a maximum of 10 minutes. Go back to reading, increase your reading time simultaneously and take a break every hour. Make a to-do list and study according to it. Reward yourself as you complete each task.
4. Focus
Avoid any distractions. Keep your mobile phone or any gadget aside. Forget about your surroundings and push yourself to complete each task. Don’t listen to any music while studying either. Do not multi-task. Just focus.
5. Go Out!
Get out of your house, don’t jail yourself. Go out and explore new places. Meet your friends. Do not confine yourself to the four walls of your room and stop staring at the ceiling. Stop worrying about your work for a while and relax.
6. Time for Hobbies
Since you do not have to attend college for a year, you have the time for your hobbies. Play, watch movies/sitcoms, listen to music, learn a new language or instrument, work on your physique, cook, paint or do whatever you feel like doing. You are no longer obliged to adjust your hobbies with your tight schedule, so make the most!
7. Communicate
Many kids fall victim to depression during a drop year. It can be anyone- your parents/friends/colleagues-anyone. It is of utmost importance to talk to someone, discuss your mental state, and express yourself. Don’t keep things to yourself; it would destroy your mental well-being.
8. Time Management
Building a timetable and working accordingly is very important because you won’t even realize how fast time flies! You may keep assuring yourself that “I’ll start tomorrow; I still have many months.” No, don’t listen to yourself! Start today because you’ll barely have any time left by the time you begin your work.
Be disciplined and remember; it’s mind over heart when being professional!
Till then, keep working on yourself and carpe diem, mates!
