By Alícia
Two years ago, I stepped away from the traditional path to pursue a lifelong dream before college, driven by curiosity, a desire to grow, and a willingness to stretch beyond my comfort zone. Joining the Duke Gap Year Program became one of the most transformative decisions of my life—and now, as I prepare to finally begin my chapter at Duke, I want to share the greatest lessons I’ve learned and offer some words of advice for those considering a gap year.
1. A Purposeful Gap Year Isn’t a Pause—It’s a Launchpad
Some people see a gap year as “time off” from learning, or worry it means losing momentum or stalling career progress. I say: only if you let it. When approached with intention, a gap year becomes more than a break; it’s a chance to absorb every moment deeply and turn experiences into lifelong lessons. Personally, I learned a new language, studied calculus and chemistry topics beyond my high school curriculum, took finance courses, and gained invaluable clarity about the career path I want to pursue. My gap years also allowed me to reconcile working professionally in ballet before delving into academics—something that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. This time reignited my passion for learning, making me better prepared to face personal and academic challenges, and more energized than ever to dive into my studies.
Advice: I would say approaching a gap year with purpose and a growth mindset is themost crucial ingredient to making it worthwhile. That doesn’t necessarily mean having every activity planned out, but carrying an intention: whether that’s to better understand yourself, explore the world, or follow a calling that excites you. I think that if you stay curious and engaged, you’ll return with renewed focus and motivation.
2. Growth Also Happens in the Unscripted
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that uncertainty isn’t something to fear—it’s exciting because it means there’s a world of opportunities waiting for you. Keeping an open mind and embracing moments not originally in the script might just take you exactly where you were meant to be. For me, it led to a professional ballet contract, visiting thirteen new countries, making friends from all over the globe, and discovering new passions. I found that leaning into the unknown helped me discover resilience, adaptability, and confidence.
Advice: While planning is essential, leave room for spontaneity. Say yes to unexpected opportunities that may arise. Use this time to explore boldly and try things that scare you a little. Some of the most memorable experiences happen when you least expect them, and the growth you’ll experience is priceless.
3. Connection, Not Isolation
One of the biggest fears people (including my past self!) often have about taking a gap year is the worry of feeling “left behind” or disconnected from their college community. But in reality, if you take advantage of opportunities to connect, a gap year can allow you to enter college already feeling like you know people and belong to a community that share similar experiences or interests (such as your fellow DGYP students!). Personally, I now feel part of two different gap year cohorts, have had conversations with students from the Class of 2027 to the Class of 2029 about life at Duke, and connected with both fellow dancers and the Brazilian community through BRASA. Beyond Duke, I also met incredible people from around the world during my time abroad.
Advice: Don’t be afraid to reach out and engage. Talk to other gap year students,
join group chats, attend events, and be open—you might build connections before
you even set foot on campus.
4. Develop Hard and Soft Skills That Set You Apart
My gap years gave me more than just perspective—they were a crash course in real life. From holding a job before Duke to navigating visa requirements and living independently across Europe, I gained hands-on experience in time management, budgeting, personal finance, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving. I learned to advocate for myself, coordinate logistics, and make confident decisions. There’s something uniquely valuable about figuring things out on your own in the real world—it teaches maturity and practical life skills that traditional academics often don’t. These are the kinds of skills that stand out in job interviews and carry over into any future career. Plus, you’ll come away with some pretty great stories to tell.
Advice: Think of your gap year as an investment—not just in yourself, but in your future career and personal growth.
5. Slowing Down Can Be Revolutionary
Contrary to what I once believed, the “gaps” in my gap year—the time in between my plans—proved to be just as valuable as the plans themselves. I had underestimated the power of giving myself space, for the first time in years, to reflect and realign my goals with the life I want to create. The result was transformative: I rediscovered creative flow, gained clarity on how to shape my path around my evolving strengths and passions, and—through my experiences—discovered a deep interest in innovation and entrepreneurship, opening doors beyond the traditional medical path I had been focused solely on before.
Advice: Make time for outlets that help you connect with yourself and creativity. For me, that looked like journaling, horse-riding or simply taking a walk without listening to anything. These moments of stillness were actually when I processed and solidified what I learned, and gave me valuable insights and ideas.
6. A Gap Year Can Actually Help You Enter College Better Prepared
My gap years also gave me the chance to explore Duke’s class options and resources, familiarize myself with Trinity requirements, research potential majors and summer internships, apply for networking and scholarship fellowships, and consider academic programs and research opportunities. Personally, this preparation means I’ll start college with a much stronger sense of direction than I would have without deferring. Additionally, it may offer valuable time to organize a financial plan with your family for college and graduate school.
Advice: From personal experience and talking to fellow gap year students, many have found that devoting some time (maybe towards the end of the gap year) to research exploring different fields of study or majors, connecting with advisors or current students, and even updating their CVs have helped them feel more confident and prepared to begin their college journey.
7. You’ll Leave Different—And That’s the Point
After two incredibly fulfilling years, I can honestly say I’m not the same person I was when I first deferred college—and I’m so grateful for that transformation. I feel more grounded, self-aware, and excited about what lies ahead, not just at Duke, but in life as a whole. The experiences I had pushed me to evolve in ways I never expected, opening doors to new perspectives, passions, and possibilities.
Advice: You might discover new interests, shift your academic goals, or reimagine the future you thought you wanted—and that’s not just okay, it’s the point. Growth often means outgrowing old plans to make space for something better aligned with who you’re becoming.
Finally, I want to share one of the best pieces of advice I received from a mentor when I was debating whether to take a gap year and worried, as many are, about stepping off the traditional college timeline:
“There is no correct start time. My neighbor became a doctor at 38 after serving as a Navy SEAL. My aunt went to nursing school at 50. They’re two of the most respected healthcare professionals I know because they bring life experience into their work. Don’t let the fear of others not fully understanding your path—or the pressure to follow a conventional timeline—hold you back from doing something that feels right for you.”
That deeply resonated with me. So here are my parting words: If there’s a dream or calling that truly excites you and calls to you on a profound level, I would say, go for it! Now is the time to take risks, explore freely, and grow deeply. Any fear of being “behind” will pale in comparison to the clarity, maturity, and unforgettable experiences you’ll gain along the way.
