For those of you are like me and hate writing but love talking. A good trick is to record yourself talking. Instead of sitting down at a desk and trying to write down an essay, blog post or assessment, talk it over with yourself first. It makes coming up with ideas and concepts much easier. Once you are done create your written piece and use your voice note for guidance! I used this trick and now writing has become more fun for me. With that little handy trick, I wrote up my blog post. So I hope you like it. Today's is a bit different and more on the personal side. This post is going to be longer than most, but it will be worth the read. Let’s chat, leave your comments below. L. W ✈ "Oh, The Places You'll Go" As some of you may know, I am currently taking a gap year (which I’m hoping doesn’t turn into a gap life). I finished Matric/ high school in 2015 having no idea what I wanted to study further. The world is consistently expanding and new job opportunities and careers are opening right before our eyes. With that comes this major pressure to ensure you study the right thing in order to get a job in a few years’ time.Although, I knew from the start of High school that a gap year was something I wanted to do. Before you judge, let me just say I did intend to move to the USA and become an Au Pair, however due to unforeseen circumstances (coughs, only getting my license in February, oh and not finding a host family), I haven’t been able to live out that dream just yet. But I am working hard on it and I am hoping to leave by August. (Two-year gap year leggo) However, I have been able to feature in a newspaper, where I spoke talking about my gap year! (Yay for interning at the Sunday Tribune) I have also been featured online in an anti-racism campaign. That would not have been possible if I was jet setting in America, or at least I tell myself that. I have also been able to pour hours of work into the blog and our social media presence; again this would not be possible if I were studying/working full time. In the past 3 months, I have really learnt that life happened sand we simply cannot control what does and does not happen. There are numerous pros and cons of taking a gap year that I have only come to realise through personal experience. So here they are: PROS 1. Flexible Schedule Since you are not studying full-time, you have a lot more opportunity to things you otherwise would not. Want to start a blog, go ahead. Want to create a Youtube page, why not? Start a business, a school, an empire . . . do it all since you have all the time a year can offer! 2. Travel Opportunity With all this free time available you can travel around your city and town , explore the world around you. If you are adventurous and finical able, you can get up and wander to a different country or even continent if you want to. 3. Work Availability Since you are not tied down you can work as much as you want whenever you want! On top of that working aboard is totally an option. (You can be an Au Pair or work at a summer camp or work on a ship or in a golf estate. There is a lot out there if you just research) 4. Internship Possibility If like me you are uncertain of what you want to study, then use the year to get involved in internship programmes or set up a time to shadow somebody. I spent a week at the Sunday Tribune when I had the desire to do journalism. This helped me get hands on knowledge and interview people that worked at the paper 5. Volunteer All this time so why not give back? ( I should probably take my own advice.) 6. Learn a new skill I recently discovered that there are institutions that offer free online course. Broaden your knowledge in a certain area you might want to study in or simply gain more insight about the world. I am currently attempting to do a health and nutrition course. In a few lessons I have learnt many things about the body and food, it is really exciting. 7. Relax! This is your time to enjoy getting to know yourself. But also, it is the great time to catch up on much-needed rest. Reflective often and evaluate and appreciate where you are in life. I find that watching YouTube makeup tutorials relaxes me. Cons 1. Time So much tiiiime, boredom kicks in hard! 2. Friends Move Away/ Move On Many of my friends have moved away and their lives seem to be continuing at a rapid pace as their futures become clear. Whereas I feel complacent plus I miss having friends around all day and being able to see them at a drop of a hat. Missing out on the whole “campus life” and “student struggle” kind of sucks. 3. Explaining yourself Everybody will want to know what you’re up to which is great the first few week but if you have no solid plans explaining to everybody becomes tiring. I recommend coming up with something to say when people ask and simply repeating it over and over. 4. No set routine All my life I have waited for the moment I don't have a set routine but now it's here and it sucks! I have noticed that I am getting sick a lot more than I usually do. I am eating junk, sleeping late. After a while, it is really catching up to me. * I say this while shoving another handful of butter popcorn in my mouth, old habits die hard* With all that said I am hoping that the rest of the year slowly becomes more exciting. I am currently working and aiming to go Visit Vimbai and SOME friends at university after the winter holiday. That will give me something to look forward to! Plus it will be a bombass post since we are hoping to take a bus road trip!
Have any of you taken a gap year or are planning on it? I would love to know your experience and opinions on them.
2 Comments
Joanna
5/8/2016 06:02:07 am
That's so cool :) Why don't you get a job here until August? x
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Lindi Wit
5/8/2016 06:03:32 am
Thank you :) I have been doing odd jobs here and there. But the plan is to work in America as an Au Pair :)
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The Bloggers Vimbai and Lindi are two best friends who have always had a desire for new beginnings. Having just finished Matric, they decided it was the perfect time to chase their passions. Together they decided to venture out into the blogging industry. Follow Us Archives
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