I’m on a gap year currently and it’s the best decision of my life. Like yourself when it came to UCAS and applying I was making stupid last minute decisions, that I knew I wasn’t happy with. However, without sounding too cheesy taking a gap year really helps you realise what you want out of life. I’m doing work experience for 6 months before I go travelling to make sure I’m going into the correct career. Better spending a year out than 3 years wasted. 😊
thank you for showing the kids who are struggling and the kids who are thriving that even the high achiever straight A kids sometimes want to take a gap year and that's it's not a sign of failure you know? this is really important. i admire you ❤️
I think you're going to be super happy with your choice! I feel like schools often push/ assume people who get good grades will go straight to uni so it's almost harder to make the decision to take a gap year (if that makes any sense haha)! Best of luck with your offers!! 😊
You should seriously consider doing International Citizenship Service! They provide 3 month volunteer placements in Africa and Asia for 18-25 year olds and they're totally government funded so you don't have to pay anything. All you have to do is raise £800 for ICS before you go! I'm going to bangladesh in January to work with young people and I'm sooo excited, it's such an amazing opportunity and you should definitely consider it, look them up! ❤
Whatever you decide/ whatever you do. Jade you're are an amazing person and inspiration. I'm so proud of you for sticking with your guts. I literally can't wait for your video content during your gap year.
Jade this is such a brilliant thing and i am so happy for you, that you're doing what you want to do and not what others think you should do. You can tell by the way you speak about a gap year that it's what you're supposed to do, you're extremely passionate and this has made me consider a gap year before university myself. When you mentioned you're going to carry on youtube, i smiled. i am super excited to see your adventures ☺️ x
I grabbed my brother Folk and got him to read this because it just made me so happy. 💖 Shannon!! I am honoured to have you on this exciting yet terrifying journey ahead, and I cannot thank you enough for your support. so so much love xx
UnJaded Jade Ohmygosh! Jade you're so so sweet ☺️ so is your brother, i just love your videos and they always make me smile and feel motivated so it's literally my pleasure x
another really interesting video jade, gotta do what makes you happy and i’m 100% sure you’re going to have an amazing gap year !! x also you look so beautiful in this video and the thumbnail :)) x
I really appreciate it, thank you so much 🦋🙈 you know, that truly is what it comes down to. Being happy. I'd rather live without regret and take the opportunities (as scary as they may be!) that really align with who I aim to grow into. also, you're a little angel haha! thank you so so much my friend, for the support, the kind words and the compliments! xxx
This would have been my first year of uni but I decided to defer my uni place and I'm taking my gap year now. Let me tell you, the year will change you. I've already changed my mind on what course I want to do and I've grown so much as a person. I have a job and I'm saving some money to go travelling in the second half of the year. At the start I was so nervous because I was afraid people would think I didn't want to go to uni because I love learning and educating myself but I think I may have always needed good grades (as I am a high achiever too) to validate myself but now that I'm working I've matured so much and as excited I am to go to uni, I'm really enjoying this time and met so many amazing people. I hope you enjoy your gap year as much as I'm loving mine 💕
I had an accidental gap year (or gap ten months...) after dropping out of uni the first time around and it honestly was such an amazing time - I met so many lovely people from working and volunteering in my home town, then spent the whole summer travelling with the money I had managed to save. I grew up a lot and was able to go back to uni with so much more confidence and perspective (and no one cared or even noticed at all that I was a a bit older). I'm now in my third year of uni and am very grateful for how it has all worked out for me, even though it's not quite what I had in mind for myself at 17. best of luck jade, you'll smash whatever you do!!
hahaha yeah, I think that's why I kept it quiet - because I knew it'd be pretty unexpected! Thank you so much for your kind words and for the support 💜 not always easy to steer away from the crowd x
I'm in my first year at uni now after taking an unplanned gap year, it was the best thing I have ever done, I enjoyed myself so much and felt like I learnt so much about myself. Don't worry about being older at uni, half of the people in my flat at halls are actually my age and either took a gap year or re took a year of sixth form. Enjoy yourself, your plans sound amazing!
awhh Rhiannon, thank you so much!! 🙈❤️ there are days that i feel unworthy of this success, and it really is comments like this that just make me happy and loved. means a lot xxx
I really considered conservation work too! Ended up deciding to do it in the summer....and then ended up postponing it to one summer of university! There are some amazing looking organisations to go with you'll have the best time xx
Hahah I completely understand how busy free time becomes! I wanted to volunteer on a conservation project last summer, but with DofE and everything, it never really materialised. 💛 Now I think that was meant to be so that I could just do it in my gap year anyways ;) thank you so much Noo!! I hope you're having the most amazing time at uni xx
I'm taking a year out this year to focus on music and gain experience. It is great because you don't have to stress about anything and you can do what you want (to a degree). The experience of being independent is completely different and rewarding! It gives you time to do what feels right! I'm going to uni to do music at the end of this year and I feel so much happier taking this route! Good luck with it all!
you're honestly a very inspiring person!! whatever you decide you always seem to choose what you think is best for you in every way and you always have very good, well thought reasons! keep doing you😍👑
I’m still not at the time of deciding this but honestly I had never considered this as I want to get into Cambridge and study Physics. But this video for the first time suggested to me that I can still be successful and take a gap year. I always wanted to learn Russian, and it will really help me in my preferred profession so I’m now considering maybe going to Russia or learning Russian in some way by taking a gap year! Thank you, truly had never thought about this before!
I'm considering taking a gap year next year, so it's nice to see your journey and maybe learn from it:) There's a big pressure on going to uni and I hope I'll have as much courage as you do. I'm so happy for you!
You are such a hard worker. You deserve the chance to explore and have a bit of fun for a while, and then return to the uni you worked for. Love you Jade and always stay happy! Xx🌺
Girl that is, in my view, the best decision you could’ve taken! I had my plans set up and was sure going to Uni in Germany , so I went to “holidays” to Bali for 6 weeks before “Uni stress starts” and ended up falling in Love with traveling and it changed me, my life and my plans completely. I’m living in Sydney now (you guys should come and visit me, I’d have the most fun to be your city guide and show you all the amazing secrets Sydney has to offer ✨) and I’m going to study here, I changed my career plans and currently I’m not planing to go back home anytime soon! So I promise, traveling will form and shape you so much and you will learn so much about yourself and what you like and what you don’t. It’s amazing that you chose to take a gap year jade, it’s a really brave decision nowadays. Much love, xx
Wow, thank you so so much for sharing your insight and experience Celine! 💛 I would absolutely love to meet you in Sydney!! So many amazing things lie ahead with the promise of travel, and I absolutely cannot wait xx
Really great idea to take a gap year! I am currently on mine and starting at Durham University in October. I spent three months in Costa Rica volunteering with environment and turtle conservation t the beginning of the year which was just indescribably wonderful. I went by myself but with a group of 19 other volunteers all on their gap year too, one of whom got into Oxford on deferred whilst we were there! The programme we went with was called “The Leap” and I couldn’t recommend it more! It covers loads of countries and different kinds of volunteering, and it just worked really well for me. I feel like an entirely new person because of that trip and my gap year in general. After Costa Rica I went travelling for two months around SE Asia which was also incredible! You’ve made the right decision! ☺️
I'm 22 and I'm graduating from uni this year, and I have to tell you how much I wish I had been able to take a gap year. My university years weren't bad at all and I've definitely found something I'm interested in, but I feel that I could have enjoyed it way more if I had taken the time to mature and care for myself better. Plus as much as I love what I've studied and learned I feel that if I had the chance to do it over again (taking a gap year and then applying to uni/choosing a career path) I would have chosen something different for myself, something closer to what I believe my "dream" or "calling" is. I didn't have the opportunity - mostly for financial reasons - but since you have it, enjoy it! Take the time to get to know yourself better, develop more confidence and grow. I'm sure you'll feel much more at ease when you do go to university. Loads of love!
Soso amazed at the decision you've made. Encouraging people to not only think about uni is amazing of you, and doing it yourself is so brave. Can't wait to hear about your travels. love you Jade
Hi Jade!! I've never left a comment on one of your videos before but I felt I should this time. I applied to uni last year and I was intending to go in September this year, and then I had some life changes and, after getting 3 A* grades at A Level this year, decided to take a gap year and I've reapplied this year (for a different subject). I hesitate to call myself a "high achiever" but I suppose my A Level grades suggest otherwise, and I really do think anyone in any situation can benefit from a gap year (if they want one!) as they can help people develop, no matter what development they want or need. Having said this, I desperately DIDN'T want a gap year as I felt ready to go to uni and, like you said, I love being in a learning environment, so this past few months have been enormously challenging. But I can say that I'm doing so many things that I've never done before, and things I never would have done if I hadn't taken a gap year. I am massively shy and I am working on that this year, so personally when I go to uni I will feel much, much more assured and confident than I would have done if I'd gone now. I can now say that a gap year is 100% worth doing, it is only a year and you will go to uni no matter what, and it will help you develop personally and you will feel so much more ready and mature when you do end up going to uni. It is utterly terrifying at the beginning (and I must admit I'm still kind of terrified), but you will meet amazing people and you are so right with what you said. My one tip would be - every time you find an opportunity you like the look of, bookmark it in your favourites folder or something, and keep checking back - I know you'd probably do this anyway, but I have lost or forgotten so many things already because I forgot to save them, so I just thought I'd mention it!! I hope this comment makes sense haha. All the very best of luck with your studies and your gap year. Xx
This video has genuinely made me reconsider a lot of things about my future plans. All of my life I have known that I have wanted to travel, but I've always dismissed it when I was considering elite applications and throwing myself into education. Thank you for making me slow down and really consider the fact that I do have options and I'm not out of time yet! Good luck to you and thanks for being such an inspiration x
I know someone who was also a 'high achiever' who took a gap year and traveled and when she went to uni this year she was much more ready for it. Your plans sound amazing and I'm tempted to take a gap year now too haha XX My dad went to Lancaster uni and I visited it with him last summer and the campus is really nice and quite separate from the city which is also really nice so if you do end up going there for whatever reason you'll hopefully like it :) x
Omg yessss a video !!! ❤️ I discovered your channel like a couple of days ago, and I love it! You are so positive and you give so much inspiration, positive vibes and motivation ! I live in France and I am on my last year on my high school, and in June I have A Levels, and I am nervous because I am on a Scientific class, but my first marks are not good at all, and I am so scared to fail because I want to be a vet and people around tell me to maybe change my dream job but I can't! To become a vet is my biggest dream and I want to succeed and have good marks but I don't know, every day I say " ok it's holidays so today you work so when you get back to class, you will be stronger than ever!" but it's like i am lying to myself because i don't work and i stay in my bed all day watching study videos ... I want to succeed but i don't find the motivation to actually study, like biology maths or physics: my major classes... Also, the thing is I want to be a positive person, because all my life I was a negative person, I don't have confidence at all, I wanna change but this is so hard, it is been weeks since I work on that but nothing change ... Sorry for my bad english, I am French 😘
Ah wow! Merci beaucoup for all the beautiful words of support 🦋🙈 I'm so glad you ever stumbled upon my channel! I completely understand where you're coming from with the motivation thing. Can I perhaps suggest that tonight you make a list of everything that you are going to do tomorrow, and then write a rough time to complete each. Wake up earlier than usual, and upon waking up, don't look at your phone until your first break! I find motivation is easy at the start of the day, but dwindles as it progresses! i hope this helps and that you're able to study some more ❤️ i also promise that there are no negative or positive people inherently. Only thinking makes it so. you are beautiful, strong and worthy of succeeding. Good luck mon amie xx
Those are ALL great ideas. I have friends who took gap years, and were worried about what people would say and not having the same group and honestly, they loved it. It usually worries people when they think they won't have their friends around in uni anymore,or that they won't find people they get along with, or even that people might look down on them. Let me tell you, your gap year plans sound amazing and ALL my friends who took a gap year have had a great time. You just need to own it and be happy about it. I'm sure when you start uni you'll enter being proud of all the experiences you had and of taking that leap. You'll come back more confident, with a wider view of the world and yourself, and with amazing new memories and experiences . All of that, a good attitude and hard work will make you fit into a good crowd in uni.
ah this is so eyeopening deffo do what's best for you you'll love your gap year and what you can achieve in that year! i didn't go this year and i can't tell you how good i feel for not going, my head of year forced me to go through the whole process and even after getting 3 unconditional offers i still knew it wasn't for me so all the best with your gap year!! really liked this video X
Whatever you decide in life, just make sure you're happy with your decision and I can tell that you are! Applying to uni is so stressful and recently I've been having doubts about whether or not I'll actually get into uni. And that was when I really started thinking about taking a gap year. But I felt that taking a gap year would make it seem like I'm unable to cope with the transition to uni and was just overall anxious about what people would think. But after watching this, I feel so much more reassured if I do end up taking a gap year, so thank you so much for this eye-opening video! xx
Awhhh wow, thank you for sharing your current experience and worries 💜 I felt exactly the same, and quite honestly I hope to part of the change in making gap years both accessible and well informed for young people. Schools are far too biased!! Whatever you decide, i'm certain it will be right for you my friend x
I took a gap year and it was the best decision I made! Looking back now I definitely wasn't ready for uni after A levels, taking the year out allows you to mature and become a more independent person, making settling into uni so much easier! I worked and travelled in my year out which I probably won't have the chance to do after uni, I'm sure you'll have an amazing year! x
I think a gap year is a great idea!!! I am on a gap year right now, as I needed time away from the intense pressure of school and to earn some money. I feel like I wasn’t ready to go to uni yet and so happy I took this gap year! You won’t regret it! Your gap year sounds amazing, hope you enjoy it!! Btw thank you so much for all your videos and you really inspired me to take up yoga!
Jade! do a video on the goals u want to accomplish in the gap year and how you are going to plan your goals (methods to make a goal list)! i honestly love your videos you are the best!
I totally get what you mean when you talk about the stigma around people taking gap years because I got the same reaction tbh. I was considering a gap year but have gone with the "safe choice". I've applied to do Natural Sciences and like you also love Biology. At the back of my mind, I still want to take one for the reasons you mentioned and really wanting a mental break from continuous studies. I want to do something to help people but don't know what.. there's so many options and a lot to arrange. Maybe if I find something, I can do it in the future... You're a total inspiration btw!!! Lots of love!
Jade I 100% think this is the right decision for you& I think this will be such an important video for so many people to see that even high achievers can take gap years. Can't wait to see how you spend your year! x
I took a gap year and applied to Oxford with my grades - best decision ever. Now I'm here and so glad I decided to take a gap year. You def won't regret it!
Funnily enough I'm at Lancaster uni in my first year. I can honestly say it's amazing. Such a beautiful campus, very friendly people and super inclusive, I'm so glad to be here. I've also made a uni friend who does Biology and she seems super into the course. If you haven't been to open days for the unis I'd highly reccommend it as it gives you more of an insight into the actual university as a whole :) good luck with your gap year!
Im currently taking a gap year and its the best idea I ever did, getting a full time job and seeing what life would be like if i didnt have a degree and being able to travel the world which I did on my own was eye-opening and made me feel much more happier being independent. I feel so much more ready to go to uni now than I did a year ago. It also makes life easier after university as you can go straight into work without having to put everything on hold to travel. Good luck with your gap year, you’ll love it I promise x
I’m actually like close to tears watching this because I’m so proud of you and I’m so inspired by you and you are the reason I actually feel motivated at school and then you will be going to Uni the same year as me and I’m so ready to be able to watch ur videos at the same time and I’m scared but I think if you can do all of this amazing out there stuff then maybe I can actually not fail Sixth Form and thank u for being so inspirational 😢❤️
Don't worry Jade! I took a gap year and it really benefited me, right now I am in my second year of university (art history) I really think I wouldn't have enjoyed my experiences at uni as much as I do now . I hope you will feel the same a year after now!
I'm so happy for you and your brave decision of following your gut! I totally get what you said at the end about your year group being one year younger, but believe me, you don't even feel it at all. When I entered college I ended up changing majors and ended up being three years older than my classmates which was MINDBLOWING to me, but it seriously is like nothing happened. You always end up meeting the people you have to meet, and making friends with the people you're meant to be friends with. So yeah, I wish you ALL the luck in the world, (I actually wish i had thought of taking a gap year when I finished high school haha but it just never crossed my mind) Anyways, I already feel you're going to have an AMAZING gap year, it's going to be great! :)))
Hi Jade, I've been watching some of your videos recently and I'm so impressed. I'm only a little bit older than you (19) but I think your approach to life is extremely admirable. I wish I had had a friend like you or had seen your videos when I was going through my educational life as I think you would've helped me achieve much higher grades than I did, helped me stay motivated and helped me truly consider all my options before I rushed in to things. Many people your age are not nearly as self aware, hard working and resilient as yourself. I hope you are proud of everything you do and I hope you continue inspiring other young people to do amazing things with their education. I know I could've done with someone like you when I was struggling with motivation at school. 😁
I think it’s great that you want to go on a gap year. I’ve been researching the Borneo orangutan project for my geography course and I was so happy when you mentioned it because it makes me feel like issues that I’m interested in are shared by other people. Have fun on a gap year!!
Such a good decision! I took a gap year after a-levels, ended up doing charity work in Kenya for two weeks and then went to do a college course, ended up meeting my best friend in college, couldn't imagine life without him yet if I had gone straight to uni that never would have happened! I'm so proud of youuu!
This is amazing Jade! I've been thinking about taking a gap year for a long time but most people have to take a gap year here before uni because it is hard to get in so it is not so scary for me. But it is really nice to hear that you are taking a gap year and you are definitely an inspiration to many people. 💜
As always, thank you for an amazing video. I guess I'm a high achiever and am contemplating taking a gap year too, so it's really reassuring to see this! Best of luck Jade ❤️
love love love you! It's amazing to see such an inspirational, wise, lovely person at the age of 17! Always support you. Also, A levels are so so stressful at the moment... especially biology and chemistry xx
❤I wish you all the best, I'm so certain it's the right path for you to choose too! You're so right that there's a stigma around it, especially for high achievers, but you can't let stigma or other people opinions control what you do. I'm so glad you're choosing to take the path you feel is right, if you feel it's right then it is. It sounds like taking a gap year will definitely offer many great experiences and I wish you the absolute best, btw you're amazing Jade!❤
This video made me reconsider my entire life!!! I’m going into my senior year of high school (in the US) and all I’ve been thinking about for the past several years is college and my future career. I am an ambitious student, I know what I want to major in, I’m fairly certain I know where I will end up going, but I feel that a gap year (or even a semester/ half year) is what I need. Gap years aren’t very common in the US and they are not often encouraged, but that could just be because it’s a lot harder to travel in the US. Watching this video made think of how beneficial taking time off would be: all I’ve wanted to do is travel, and I really think traveling would really make me feel comfortable with myself as an independent adult. Thank you for this video!!!!
having a gap year was the best decision for me, I'm now in second year at Bristol at believe that my gap year really helped me blossom before going to uni... wish you all the best x
With UNI and education, there is no rush. There should never be any pressure to do any of it. Taking a gap year is almost always the better option to take if one is at that crossroad. A lot of people go to UNI or further education because they aren't sure what to do with themselves. Taking a gap year, traveling and having new experiences can arguably present way more opportunities. However, UNi can also be very rewarding. But here's the thing, it ultimately comes down to the individual being sure about what is right for them at that moment.
I took a gap year last year and it was the best decision I ever made. It allowed me to develop so much as a person and my confidence increased greatly. I remember when I applied to university before deciding to take a gap year and I thought that I would have been ready for university, but I really would not have been. You really have nothing to lose when taking a gap year. There is a a lot of pressure on people to go straight to university when there are so many options.
My boyfriend studies Biology at Lancaster and he's in his third year! He absolutely loves Lancaster and his course, he went to Kenya in August and he had an amazing time! For me personally, the city isn't great and there isn't that much to do, I'm studying in Leeds and much prefer bigger cities, but you're near the Lakes which are amazing! He has loved his three years there and loves the course, and the campus and library in particular are incredible! Good luck with everything XXXXXX
I am currently in my "gap year" and have to admit that it was probably one of the worst decisions I have made, but only because (unlike you) I did not have any clear structure to my year out of education. I had planned to work full-time in order to save money to support myself financially, without burdening my family, however I am still currently stuck in a very bland lifestyle of part-time work in retail. I wish you the best in your deferral entry, and hope you are able to create awesome memories that you can cherish forever
I would 100% recommend a gap year, its definitely not pushed enough in the UK. I didn't take one (wish I did) but I'm doing a placement year abroad in Amsterdam right now and its so eye opening to be on your own in a new place surrounded by a different culture, you're gonna love it!!!
I just want to say that for all the reasons you mentioned for wanting to take a gap year is literally all the reasons I want to! I have said that I would want to look for work when I graduate university and taking a gap year now when I have the least amount responsibilities will benefit me more. If I wait, it may not happen, and if I choose not to, then I will have regrets! The point is, it’s nice to see someone having the same views about taking a gap year. I am taking a gap year btw, after I really thought about, not about doing it specifically but how I would tell everyone, what would people think, what would I do. Just so many questions after thinking about it during my junior year (last year, 2016-2017), by the end of the year I realized that is what I wanted to do. To any one thinking about taking a gap year, trust your gut! You are in control of your own life. :)
Your plans/ideas for your gap year honestly sound amazing, and are really making me consider a gap year as an option-it would give me the opportunity to do all the things I've dreamed of doing and places I would love to visit!
Awhh thank you so much! I'm so excited just talking about it haha 🦋 there definitely are so so many impossibly amazing things to do, and I think however you spend the year, the personal growth is going to be immense x
Good for you! I took a gap year and it was the best decision for me. I don't think I was mentally ready for uni and needed the time to discover my direction. University will always be there, so there shouldn't be a hurry to go. Great inspiration you are, Jade!
I'm so happy for you. Good thing that you considered taking a gap year. You are so inspiring to me because you just do what you want to do and you don't really think too much about what others will say. That is something that I still struggle on as of now but hopefully, someday I will have the courage and confidence to be the best version of me. I wish you all the best! Good luck! You're right, never waste the gap year! Keep growing! You're beautiful. So much love from the Philippines!
I love that you're doing what makes you happy, you're so inspiring and so many people look up to you, your life is so organised and mines is a hot mess, but I plan on changing that haha, good luck in whatever you do, love your videos 💗x
I knew you'd take a gap year, I knew it! when I saw that chatty video, I was even going to gently suggest that you should take one, because you should't keep your passion bottled up:), plus, i could see you really wanted it even then. I
This is just what I needed!! I have been considering a gap year myself but it’s such a big scary decision which makes me think I should take the leap. Wishing you the very best💘
I’m glad you are doing what makes you happy, it really inspires me to do the same! I really hate the idea that you must do everything the same way as everyone else or get looked down upon if you wish to try something else. Good luck with college and your plans xxx
Awh it’s so good hearing someone else wanting to take a year out! Uni applications are so stressful 😫 there’s no rush in getting to uni and settling into a job etc etc. I’ve always wanted to volunteer abroad with animals but the programs are SO DAMN EXPENSIVE!! But anyway ENJOY IT SWEETIE!! (And maybe I’ll see you travelling one day next year😏💜)
yesss I feel you with the stress! And I GET YOU! although there are actually a lot of projects that are cheaper than I couldn't ever first imagined (look at IVHQ and ecoteering!) xx
Hi, funny to watch your video now. I actually took a gap year this year also! I was scared also, but it was a consequence of uni entrance impossible. I went to Peru, in a volunteer project, (medecine and amazonian projects) then worked for two months as a seasonal in hotel, and then went to Malaysia. And guess what? I finally succeed my entrance exam, and am officially a med student. And yes, getting back to studies was quite hard, and yes it is stressful, but girl it was one of the best experience I got to live, and it just fulfilled me with so many memories, people and I would totally advise it to anyone... And would do it again like 100%! I love your videos! I hope you enjoyed your gap year (or still do if you're in it) Enjoy, you're living your better life :)
I went to university this year after spending all summer hoping that I didn’t meet my conditions and that I could have a break. I lasted 4 weeks before I withdrew and came home and I haven’t looked back since. If I’ve learned anything from the experience that your happiness is the most important thing and your heart doesn’t lie to you. Good luck! ✨
it's amazing to see ambitious people like you... people who are always willing to help... you are very inspiring, really. Everytime i watch your videos it gives me hope, and makes me want to fight my anxiety and become a better person.... Stay as you are Jade, you are truly amazing and deserves all the best in your life 💜 Hopefully i will become like you one day :), someone who inspires others. lots of love x
Best of luck Jade i will always support you and thank you for all the help you have given us in our Gcse last year. Now first year of 6th form is stressful but watching your video is what keeps me going love you so much Jade! xxx
YES JADE! I'm so happy you've finally revealed your plans to everyone else!! It means so much that I inspired you to make this choice, and I promise that you will 100% not regret your decision whatsoever. I'm also incredibly jealous that you're planning to backpack the East Coast (can I pls join you) - it was THE BEST TIME and there's so many blog posts on my blog and ahhhh just let me know if you need any help or anything w/ planning since Australia is my favourite 😍 You're about to have one of the most amazing years of your life, if not THE best so far. Take every chance you get and say yes way more often. Your year out is the year to grow and learn and try everything. Extremely jealous - good luck with everything ❤️❤️
So so excited for the experiences you're going to have! Your optimism in this video is literally so palpable and so I think that is proof in itself that this is the right choice. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!
Love this vid ! I've been watching you for ages and you are such an amazing and inspiring person. I was considering a gap year but after consideration I'm going to uni next year. Good luck on this journey can't wait for you to share it with us!🌻🌎
This is crazy I was born in Holland too and it's so frustrating when you forget to speak it but can understand the vast majority of the language .. I think it's fantastic for you to go back and pick it up again ♥️♥️
oooo im excited for you!! good luck for next year, its so inspiring and motivating seeing someone with such incredible goals for your year! excited for the travel vlogs (will there be travel vlogs??) ps. i have family in holland too!!
Such a good decision Jade! Taking a gap year was the best thing I ever did, you learn so much and such a great opportunity to grown as a person. Im excited for your life lovely! x
Ahh yass gal!! Im also planning on taking a gap year before university so its reallly nice to hear that someone my age in the same position as I am right now is also planning a gap year too. All the love and support your way !! Youre my favourite youtuber and one i can relate most with keep doin you gal!!
Girl, GOOD FOR YOU! In America, it’s really hard to take a gap year and still succeed, (I’m a senior in high school this year) and I think it’s so awesome that you’re following this dream! You obviously have amazing plans, and I can’t wait to see what you do! I’m so jealous that you get to do all this stuff - I’ll be living vicariously through you!
Hi Jade, this was such an inspiring video! I really wish I had taken a gap year but I know that, personally, I wouldn’t have gone to uni if I did. I was only ever interested in my languages at school (regrettably) but now I’m in uni I wish I had taken the time to explore the world! Even though I also wished I’d payed attention more...! Proud of you for making this difficult decision and love your choices! Eva xx
Wow watching this again almost two years later...so proud of how much you've grown as a person and on your channel. I am so happy you took your gap year!! Everything has worked out and I can't wait for the Minerva videos!!! You are always an inspiration and continue to grow, mature and become an even better person every day. We will always support your decisions and watch you grow. Best of luck for Minerva xxx
hey :) i think this sounds amazing and just wanna let you know this is making me consider taking a gap year. you mentioned going to Holland with other people that were learning Dutch as well and I did something like that but with Spanish. I lived in Spain but didn't really speak it so last year I went to another part of Spain (I live in France now) to improve my Spanish with a load of other people that were also learning. From my experience, I would recommend not to go with people that are also learning but to just fully immerse yourself in the language. Even with 4 hours of lessons a day, (which I had of Spanish), it honestly does not help that much as for the rest of the day, you most likely won't be speaking the language. This is of course only a suggestion and what I got from my experience but I wanted to share it anyways :) i hope you have a great gap year !!
I took a gap year prior to going to Oxford to study Biology! It gave me time to read around the subject without being constrained by a syllabus, I did work experience to strengthen my application, and the break from studying really revitalised my attitude towards learning- all while earning money which has afforded me a degree of financial independence. Would totally recommend! Good luck with it all :)
Oh my goodness no wayyy! Thank you so much for sharing your experience 🦋 I can't wait to explore the things I'm interested in definitely!! Lots of love xx
I'm so excited for you!! And Ik that although the pressure of uni will slip slightly you'll still stay on top of it and will reach your amazing potential❤❤
I'm honestly so happy for you love, the gap year idea sounds amazing and like it will truly help you find yourself as well as allow you to help so many others! You make such a big difference in our lives here on UA-cam and now you'll have the chance to do it in a broader more worldly way. Please continue making these videos, I'll be starting university in the same year as you now! I'm currently in year 12 and I'm doing the IB curriculum and your videos never fail to inspire and motivate me, thank you for everything Jade. You honestly have no idea how much of an impact you've made on my life and I truly wish you all the best!
I am from Germany and I never considered not taking a gap year, it is really common to take one here and I heard so many amazing and inspirational stories from friends who travelled or worked abroad. So I am really looking forward to it and I am sure you will enjoy it! :)
Jade you are such an incredible person! Im so happy that there are people like you in this world! I've been reading through all your replies to comments, it's just amazing how a person can be so humble! Love you lots xxx Mel
Awww Mel!! 💖 bless you, thank you so so much! At the end of the day, I'm no grand youtuber. I really am just Jade. I want to be happy and I want to be my best and I equally want to help as many people as I can ;)) I truly appreciate your support my friend xxx
Honestly I’m so glad I had a gap year! It gave me so much time to prepare for uni and honestly once you’re there you don’t even notice that you’re there a year later than everyone else ☺️
I'm currently in the process of applying to university too and I have no idea what I want to do!! I've thought about taking a gap year but was really worried and didn't know what I would do during it, however this has given me a lot of ideas, a gap year sounds like a great idea!!
I'm so so glad!! ❤️ I definitely find that schools do not give young people enough information about gap years and how you can spend them productively! whatever you end up doing, I am certain that it will be the right decision for you in the end! good luck xx
So glad you're also making the decision to take a gap year. I'm in sixth year in Ireland and I decided to make the same decision as you. Not many people i know are taking a gap year so it's great to have someone else taking a gap year. X hope you have fun in your gap year
I took a gab year too, just to assure that the field I want to go into is really the one I feel good about. So I worked for three months to earn some money, now I did three months of different internships, in November and December I want to focus on NaNoWriMo, reading and sports (which is kind of important for my dream job) and then I want to work my a** off again so I be able to pay for my university and to travel next summer. Even my mom thinks I am about to waste a year but in my opinion I already grew so much as a person through all the experiences I have made and the people I met. Definitely think you did a nice thing there. :)
love this video! It really made me rethink whether i was so certain about going straight to uni, I know with the course and careers path I want to go down, I may not have the opportunity to travel afterwards (travelling being something I know I want to do). I'm really looking forward to your videos next year - sounds like they'll be incredibly fascinating, and maybe help me decide :) xx
I'm on a gap year myself and I think the major factor was just how difficult the last two years were for me mentally and physically. The stress of A levels really took its toll on me and i was doing it all by myself with no help from teachers or tuitions. And then my personal life was kind of a mess as well. After giving my exams i was not looking forward to jump straight in to a university. I did not want it, it was shocking. I didnt want to go to a university. Falling from A+ and As to BBC was a major shock to a high achiever like myself I wasn't gonna do anything or make any plans until i got my A levels results which i was sure id flunk. But waiting for results meant missing all deadlines and that was the choice I made Later i found out I hadn't even flunked like I thought I would. I took these months to relax I wont lie. And now I am wanting to go to university sooooo bad even though the thought of it got me stressed before. I learned alot about myself and I think it was a good time to reflect what went wrong and know what I really want.
Jade you are so strong, and I'm so glad that someone as academic as you is making this video, and showing like minded people that this is a valid option !! Much love & good luck ahhhh ! 💛
This is awesome. Good decision! I regretted not taking a Gap Year before I started Uni... so when I graduated (from Nottingham!) I was lucky enough to be in a position to defer my Masters and did it then (I also worked full-time over summer and left at the end of November - I went to New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia. Best thing I ever did!)
Awh. Me too! I’m a Year 13 who’s going to take a gap year. For me, it has 3 main benefits: - I’ll have my A-Level grades when I apply, meaning I don’t have to worry about “will I meet my offer?” - I can work full time and save up some money - It’s a year out from education! It’s stressful, but I know uni is the right choice for me. It’s a year of not revising, which right now, I’m okay with that. x
I’m on a gap year currently and it’s the best decision of my life. Like yourself when it came to UCAS and applying I was making stupid last minute decisions, that I knew I wasn’t happy with. However, without sounding too cheesy taking a gap year really helps you realise what you want out of life. I’m doing work experience for 6 months before I go travelling to make sure I’m going into the correct career. Better spending a year out than 3 years wasted. 😊
thank you for showing the kids who are struggling and the kids who are thriving that even the high achiever straight A kids sometimes want to take a gap year and that's it's not a sign of failure you know? this is really important. i admire you ❤️
I cannot thank you enough for your beautiful words ❤️ it means a lot, just know that my friend x
I think you're going to be super happy with your choice! I feel like schools often push/ assume people who get good grades will go straight to uni so it's almost harder to make the decision to take a gap year (if that makes any sense haha)! Best of luck with your offers!! 😊
Yes definitely! I couldn't have said it better myself 💜 thank you so much!! x
You should seriously consider doing International Citizenship Service! They provide 3 month volunteer placements in Africa and Asia for 18-25 year olds and they're totally government funded so you don't have to pay anything. All you have to do is raise £800 for ICS before you go! I'm going to bangladesh in January to work with young people and I'm sooo excited, it's such an amazing opportunity and you should definitely consider it, look them up! ❤
Leah Nesper-King how did you find it?
Hi Dear,hope you had a wonderful experience in Bangladesh,love from.Bangladesh..
Whatever you decide/ whatever you do. Jade you're are an amazing person and inspiration. I'm so proud of you for sticking with your guts. I literally can't wait for your video content during your gap year.
Wow. I can't thank you enough for this 💫 means a lot to have your support xx
Jade this is such a brilliant thing and i am so happy for you, that you're doing what you want to do and not what others think you should do. You can tell by the way you speak about a gap year that it's what you're supposed to do, you're extremely passionate and this has made me consider a gap year before university myself. When you mentioned you're going to carry on youtube, i smiled. i am super excited to see your adventures ☺️ x
I grabbed my brother Folk and got him to read this because it just made me so happy. 💖 Shannon!! I am honoured to have you on this exciting yet terrifying journey ahead, and I cannot thank you enough for your support. so so much love xx
UnJaded Jade Ohmygosh! Jade you're so so sweet ☺️ so is your brother, i just love your videos and they always make me smile and feel motivated so it's literally my pleasure x
I love your video because you're so naturally beautiful as a human. Wish you happiness in whatever you do. I will always check on you. Love.
Shannon Nath wth you're like everywhere
another really interesting video jade, gotta do what makes you happy and i’m 100% sure you’re going to have an amazing gap year !! x also you look so beautiful in this video and the thumbnail :)) x
I really appreciate it, thank you so much 🦋🙈 you know, that truly is what it comes down to. Being happy. I'd rather live without regret and take the opportunities (as scary as they may be!) that really align with who I aim to grow into.
also, you're a little angel haha! thank you so so much my friend, for the support, the kind words and the compliments! xxx
UnJaded Jade you’re truly an inspiration thank you ! 💛
This would have been my first year of uni but I decided to defer my uni place and I'm taking my gap year now. Let me tell you, the year will change you. I've already changed my mind on what course I want to do and I've grown so much as a person. I have a job and I'm saving some money to go travelling in the second half of the year. At the start I was so nervous because I was afraid people would think I didn't want to go to uni because I love learning and educating myself but I think I may have always needed good grades (as I am a high achiever too) to validate myself but now that I'm working I've matured so much and as excited I am to go to uni, I'm really enjoying this time and met so many amazing people. I hope you enjoy your gap year as much as I'm loving mine 💕
Wow, this is so so amazing, thank you for sharing your experience!! Good luck with it all my friend 💖 I can't wait to see where the year takes me xx
I had an accidental gap year (or gap ten months...) after dropping out of uni the first time around and it honestly was such an amazing time - I met so many lovely people from working and volunteering in my home town, then spent the whole summer travelling with the money I had managed to save. I grew up a lot and was able to go back to uni with so much more confidence and perspective (and no one cared or even noticed at all that I was a a bit older). I'm now in my third year of uni and am very grateful for how it has all worked out for me, even though it's not quite what I had in mind for myself at 17. best of luck jade, you'll smash whatever you do!!
Really wasn’t expecting that haha. Well done for choosing what is best for you❤️ love your channel😌
hahaha yeah, I think that's why I kept it quiet - because I knew it'd be pretty unexpected! Thank you so much for your kind words and for the support 💜 not always easy to steer away from the crowd x
I'm in my first year at uni now after taking an unplanned gap year, it was the best thing I have ever done, I enjoyed myself so much and felt like I learnt so much about myself. Don't worry about being older at uni, half of the people in my flat at halls are actually my age and either took a gap year or re took a year of sixth form. Enjoy yourself, your plans sound amazing!
I have so much respect for your decision which you made with such wise reasons. This is so inspiring, you go girl! x x x
wow, I cannot thank you enough for such a supportive, beautiful comment! So so much love!! ❤️ xx
I’m so happy for you! In every video you inspire me to do my best, even just chatty videos make me feel calm and happy love you so much xxxx
awhh Rhiannon, thank you so much!! 🙈❤️ there are days that i feel unworthy of this success, and it really is comments like this that just make me happy and loved. means a lot xxx
I really considered conservation work too! Ended up deciding to do it in the summer....and then ended up postponing it to one summer of university! There are some amazing looking organisations to go with you'll have the best time xx
Hahah I completely understand how busy free time becomes! I wanted to volunteer on a conservation project last summer, but with DofE and everything, it never really materialised. 💛 Now I think that was meant to be so that I could just do it in my gap year anyways ;) thank you so much Noo!! I hope you're having the most amazing time at uni xx
I'm taking a year out this year to focus on music and gain experience. It is great because you don't have to stress about anything and you can do what you want (to a degree). The experience of being independent is completely different and rewarding! It gives you time to do what feels right! I'm going to uni to do music at the end of this year and I feel so much happier taking this route! Good luck with it all!
you're honestly a very inspiring person!! whatever you decide you always seem to choose what you think is best for you in every way and you always have very good, well thought reasons! keep doing you😍👑
wow, thank you so much for such beautiful words of support!! I really appreciate it 💛 let's see where this year takes me hey ;) xxx
UnJaded Jade yess! xxx
I’m still not at the time of deciding this but honestly I had never considered this as I want to get into Cambridge and study Physics. But this video for the first time suggested to me that I can still be successful and take a gap year. I always wanted to learn Russian, and it will really help me in my preferred profession so I’m now considering maybe going to Russia or learning Russian in some way by taking a gap year! Thank you, truly had never thought about this before!
I'm considering taking a gap year next year, so it's nice to see your journey and maybe learn from it:) There's a big pressure on going to uni and I hope I'll have as much courage as you do. I'm so happy for you!
What did you end up doing?
You are such a hard worker. You deserve the chance to explore and have a bit of fun for a while, and then return to the uni you worked for. Love you Jade and always stay happy! Xx🌺
Girl that is, in my view, the best decision you could’ve taken! I had my plans set up and was sure going to Uni in Germany , so I went to “holidays” to Bali for 6 weeks before “Uni stress starts” and ended up falling in Love with traveling and it changed me, my life and my plans completely. I’m living in Sydney now (you guys should come and visit me, I’d have the most fun to be your city guide and show you all the amazing secrets Sydney has to offer ✨) and I’m going to study here, I changed my career plans and currently I’m not planing to go back home anytime soon! So I promise, traveling will form and shape you so much and you will learn so much about yourself and what you like and what you don’t. It’s amazing that you chose to take a gap year jade, it’s a really brave decision nowadays. Much love, xx
Wow, thank you so so much for sharing your insight and experience Celine! 💛 I would absolutely love to meet you in Sydney!! So many amazing things lie ahead with the promise of travel, and I absolutely cannot wait xx
Really great idea to take a gap year! I am currently on mine and starting at Durham University in October. I spent three months in Costa Rica volunteering with environment and turtle conservation t the beginning of the year which was just indescribably wonderful. I went by myself but with a group of 19 other volunteers all on their gap year too, one of whom got into Oxford on deferred whilst we were there! The programme we went with was called “The Leap” and I couldn’t recommend it more! It covers loads of countries and different kinds of volunteering, and it just worked really well for me. I feel like an entirely new person because of that trip and my gap year in general. After Costa Rica I went travelling for two months around SE Asia which was also incredible! You’ve made the right decision! ☺️
I'm 22 and I'm graduating from uni this year, and I have to tell you how much I wish I had been able to take a gap year. My university years weren't bad at all and I've definitely found something I'm interested in, but I feel that I could have enjoyed it way more if I had taken the time to mature and care for myself better. Plus as much as I love what I've studied and learned I feel that if I had the chance to do it over again (taking a gap year and then applying to uni/choosing a career path) I would have chosen something different for myself, something closer to what I believe my "dream" or "calling" is.
I didn't have the opportunity - mostly for financial reasons - but since you have it, enjoy it! Take the time to get to know yourself better, develop more confidence and grow. I'm sure you'll feel much more at ease when you do go to university. Loads of love!
Soso amazed at the decision you've made. Encouraging people to not only think about uni is amazing of you, and doing it yourself is so brave. Can't wait to hear about your travels. love you Jade
Hi Jade!! I've never left a comment on one of your videos before but I felt I should this time. I applied to uni last year and I was intending to go in September this year, and then I had some life changes and, after getting 3 A* grades at A Level this year, decided to take a gap year and I've reapplied this year (for a different subject). I hesitate to call myself a "high achiever" but I suppose my A Level grades suggest otherwise, and I really do think anyone in any situation can benefit from a gap year (if they want one!) as they can help people develop, no matter what development they want or need. Having said this, I desperately DIDN'T want a gap year as I felt ready to go to uni and, like you said, I love being in a learning environment, so this past few months have been enormously challenging. But I can say that I'm doing so many things that I've never done before, and things I never would have done if I hadn't taken a gap year. I am massively shy and I am working on that this year, so personally when I go to uni I will feel much, much more assured and confident than I would have done if I'd gone now. I can now say that a gap year is 100% worth doing, it is only a year and you will go to uni no matter what, and it will help you develop personally and you will feel so much more ready and mature when you do end up going to uni. It is utterly terrifying at the beginning (and I must admit I'm still kind of terrified), but you will meet amazing people and you are so right with what you said. My one tip would be - every time you find an opportunity you like the look of, bookmark it in your favourites folder or something, and keep checking back - I know you'd probably do this anyway, but I have lost or forgotten so many things already because I forgot to save them, so I just thought I'd mention it!! I hope this comment makes sense haha. All the very best of luck with your studies and your gap year. Xx
This video has genuinely made me reconsider a lot of things about my future plans. All of my life I have known that I have wanted to travel, but I've always dismissed it when I was considering elite applications and throwing myself into education. Thank you for making me slow down and really consider the fact that I do have options and I'm not out of time yet! Good luck to you and thanks for being such an inspiration x
I know someone who was also a 'high achiever' who took a gap year and traveled and when she went to uni this year she was much more ready for it. Your plans sound amazing and I'm tempted to take a gap year now too haha XX My dad went to Lancaster uni and I visited it with him last summer and the campus is really nice and quite separate from the city which is also really nice so if you do end up going there for whatever reason you'll hopefully like it :) x
Omg yessss a video !!! ❤️ I discovered your channel like a couple of days ago, and I love it! You are so positive and you give so much inspiration, positive vibes and motivation ! I live in France and I am on my last year on my high school, and in June I have A Levels, and I am nervous because I am on a Scientific class, but my first marks are not good at all, and I am so scared to fail because I want to be a vet and people around tell me to maybe change my dream job but I can't! To become a vet is my biggest dream and I want to succeed and have good marks but I don't know, every day I say " ok it's holidays so today you work so when you get back to class, you will be stronger than ever!" but it's like i am lying to myself because i don't work and i stay in my bed all day watching study videos ... I want to succeed but i don't find the motivation to actually study, like biology maths or physics: my major classes...
Also, the thing is I want to be a positive person, because all my life I was a negative person, I don't have confidence at all, I wanna change but this is so hard, it is been weeks since I work on that but nothing change ...
Sorry for my bad english, I am French 😘
Ah wow! Merci beaucoup for all the beautiful words of support 🦋🙈 I'm so glad you ever stumbled upon my channel! I completely understand where you're coming from with the motivation thing. Can I perhaps suggest that tonight you make a list of everything that you are going to do tomorrow, and then write a rough time to complete each. Wake up earlier than usual, and upon waking up, don't look at your phone until your first break! I find motivation is easy at the start of the day, but dwindles as it progresses!
i hope this helps and that you're able to study some more ❤️ i also promise that there are no negative or positive people inherently. Only thinking makes it so. you are beautiful, strong and worthy of succeeding. Good luck mon amie xx
UnJaded Jade omg thank you so much! This means a lot to me! I take your advice in consideration. Merci beaucoup :)
Those are ALL great ideas. I have friends who took gap years, and were worried about what people would say and not having the same group and honestly, they loved it. It usually worries people when they think they won't have their friends around in uni anymore,or that they won't find people they get along with, or even that people might look down on them. Let me tell you, your gap year plans sound amazing and ALL my friends who took a gap year have had a great time. You just need to own it and be happy about it. I'm sure when you start uni you'll enter being proud of all the experiences you had and of taking that leap. You'll come back more confident, with a wider view of the world and yourself, and with amazing new memories and experiences . All of that, a good attitude and hard work will make you fit into a good crowd in uni.
ah this is so eyeopening deffo do what's best for you you'll love your gap year and what you can achieve in that year! i didn't go this year and i can't tell you how good i feel for not going, my head of year forced me to go through the whole process and even after getting 3 unconditional offers i still knew it wasn't for me so all the best with your gap year!! really liked this video X
Whatever you decide in life, just make sure you're happy with your decision and I can tell that you are! Applying to uni is so stressful and recently I've been having doubts about whether or not I'll actually get into uni. And that was when I really started thinking about taking a gap year. But I felt that taking a gap year would make it seem like I'm unable to cope with the transition to uni and was just overall anxious about what people would think. But after watching this, I feel so much more reassured if I do end up taking a gap year, so thank you so much for this eye-opening video! xx
Awhhh wow, thank you for sharing your current experience and worries 💜 I felt exactly the same, and quite honestly I hope to part of the change in making gap years both accessible and well informed for young people. Schools are far too biased!! Whatever you decide, i'm certain it will be right for you my friend x
I took a gap year and it was the best decision I made! Looking back now I definitely wasn't ready for uni after A levels, taking the year out allows you to mature and become a more independent person, making settling into uni so much easier! I worked and travelled in my year out which I probably won't have the chance to do after uni, I'm sure you'll have an amazing year! x
I think a gap year is a great idea!!! I am on a gap year right now, as I needed time away from the intense pressure of school and to earn some money. I feel like I wasn’t ready to go to uni yet and so happy I took this gap year! You won’t regret it! Your gap year sounds amazing, hope you enjoy it!! Btw thank you so much for all your videos and you really inspired me to take up yoga!
Jade! do a video on the goals u want to accomplish in the gap year and how you are going to plan your goals (methods to make a goal list)! i honestly love your videos you are the best!
has she made one yet?
I totally get what you mean when you talk about the stigma around people taking gap years because I got the same reaction tbh. I was considering a gap year but have gone with the "safe choice". I've applied to do Natural Sciences and like you also love Biology. At the back of my mind, I still want to take one for the reasons you mentioned and really wanting a mental break from continuous studies. I want to do something to help people but don't know what.. there's so many options and a lot to arrange. Maybe if I find something, I can do it in the future... You're a total inspiration btw!!! Lots of love!
Jade I 100% think this is the right decision for you& I think this will be such an important video for so many people to see that even high achievers can take gap years. Can't wait to see how you spend your year! x
I took a gap year and applied to Oxford with my grades - best decision ever. Now I'm here and so glad I decided to take a gap year. You def won't regret it!
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience!! I can't wait for such a transformative year! 💜 xxx
Funnily enough I'm at Lancaster uni in my first year. I can honestly say it's amazing. Such a beautiful campus, very friendly people and super inclusive, I'm so glad to be here. I've also made a uni friend who does Biology and she seems super into the course. If you haven't been to open days for the unis I'd highly reccommend it as it gives you more of an insight into the actual university as a whole :) good luck with your gap year!
Im currently taking a gap year and its the best idea I ever did, getting a full time job and seeing what life would be like if i didnt have a degree and being able to travel the world which I did on my own was eye-opening and made me feel much more happier being independent. I feel so much more ready to go to uni now than I did a year ago. It also makes life easier after university as you can go straight into work without having to put everything on hold to travel. Good luck with your gap year, you’ll love it I promise x
I’m actually like close to tears watching this because I’m so proud of you and I’m so inspired by you and you are the reason I actually feel motivated at school and then you will be going to Uni the same year as me and I’m so ready to be able to watch ur videos at the same time and I’m scared but I think if you can do all of this amazing out there stuff then maybe I can actually not fail Sixth Form and thank u for being so inspirational 😢❤️
Don't worry Jade! I took a gap year and it really benefited me, right now I am in my second year of university (art history) I really think I wouldn't have enjoyed my experiences at uni as much as I do now . I hope you will feel the same a year after now!
I'm so happy for you and your brave decision of following your gut! I totally get what you said at the end about your year group being one year younger, but believe me, you don't even feel it at all. When I entered college I ended up changing majors and ended up being three years older than my classmates which was MINDBLOWING to me, but it seriously is like nothing happened. You always end up meeting the people you have to meet, and making friends with the people you're meant to be friends with. So yeah, I wish you ALL the luck in the world, (I actually wish i had thought of taking a gap year when I finished high school haha but it just never crossed my mind) Anyways, I already feel you're going to have an AMAZING gap year, it's going to be great! :)))
Hi Jade, I've been watching some of your videos recently and I'm so impressed. I'm only a little bit older than you (19) but I think your approach to life is extremely admirable. I wish I had had a friend like you or had seen your videos when I was going through my educational life as I think you would've helped me achieve much higher grades than I did, helped me stay motivated and helped me truly consider all my options before I rushed in to things. Many people your age are not nearly as self aware, hard working and resilient as yourself. I hope you are proud of everything you do and I hope you continue inspiring other young people to do amazing things with their education. I know I could've done with someone like you when I was struggling with motivation at school. 😁
I think it’s great that you want to go on a gap year. I’ve been researching the Borneo orangutan project for my geography course and I was so happy when you mentioned it because it makes me feel like issues that I’m interested in are shared by other people. Have fun on a gap year!!
Such a good decision! I took a gap year after a-levels, ended up doing charity work in Kenya for two weeks and then went to do a college course, ended up meeting my best friend in college, couldn't imagine life without him yet if I had gone straight to uni that never would have happened! I'm so proud of youuu!
This is amazing Jade! I've been thinking about taking a gap year for a long time but most people have to take a gap year here before uni because it is hard to get in so it is not so scary for me. But it is really nice to hear that you are taking a gap year and you are definitely an inspiration to many people. 💜
As always, thank you for an amazing video. I guess I'm a high achiever and am contemplating taking a gap year too, so it's really reassuring to see this! Best of luck Jade ❤️
love love love you! It's amazing to see such an inspirational, wise, lovely person at the age of 17! Always support you. Also, A levels are so so stressful at the moment... especially biology and chemistry xx
❤I wish you all the best, I'm so certain it's the right path for you to choose too! You're so right that there's a stigma around it, especially for high achievers, but you can't let stigma or other people opinions control what you do. I'm so glad you're choosing to take the path you feel is right, if you feel it's right then it is. It sounds like taking a gap year will definitely offer many great experiences and I wish you the absolute best, btw you're amazing Jade!❤
This video made me reconsider my entire life!!! I’m going into my senior year of high school (in the US) and all I’ve been thinking about for the past several years is college and my future career. I am an ambitious student, I know what I want to major in, I’m fairly certain I know where I will end up going, but I feel that a gap year (or even a semester/ half year) is what I need. Gap years aren’t very common in the US and they are not often encouraged, but that could just be because it’s a lot harder to travel in the US. Watching this video made think of how beneficial taking time off would be: all I’ve wanted to do is travel, and I really think traveling would really make me feel comfortable with myself as an independent adult. Thank you for this video!!!!
Don’t worry Jade, everything happens for a reason so do what your heart desires :) ❤️❤️❤️
I really like to believe so too 🦋 thank you so much! x
having a gap year was the best decision for me, I'm now in second year at Bristol at believe that my gap year really helped me blossom before going to uni... wish you all the best x
With UNI and education, there is no rush. There should never be any pressure to do any of it. Taking a gap year is almost always the better option to take if one is at that crossroad. A lot of people go to UNI or further education because they aren't sure what to do with themselves. Taking a gap year, traveling and having new experiences can arguably present way more opportunities. However, UNi can also be very rewarding. But here's the thing, it ultimately comes down to the individual being sure about what is right for them at that moment.
I took a gap year last year and it was the best decision I ever made. It allowed me to develop so much as a person and my confidence increased greatly. I remember when I applied to university before deciding to take a gap year and I thought that I would have been ready for university, but I really would not have been. You really have nothing to lose when taking a gap year. There is a a lot of pressure on people to go straight to university when there are so many options.
Also, if you think about it we have been in full time education since we were god knows so taking one year to explore opportunities is so important !!
yesss so true! x
My boyfriend studies Biology at Lancaster and he's in his third year! He absolutely loves Lancaster and his course, he went to Kenya in August and he had an amazing time! For me personally, the city isn't great and there isn't that much to do, I'm studying in Leeds and much prefer bigger cities, but you're near the Lakes which are amazing! He has loved his three years there and loves the course, and the campus and library in particular are incredible! Good luck with everything XXXXXX
I am currently in my "gap year" and have to admit that it was probably one of the worst decisions I have made, but only because (unlike you) I did not have any clear structure to my year out of education. I had planned to work full-time in order to save money to support myself financially, without burdening my family, however I am still currently stuck in a very bland lifestyle of part-time work in retail. I wish you the best in your deferral entry, and hope you are able to create awesome memories that you can cherish forever
I would 100% recommend a gap year, its definitely not pushed enough in the UK. I didn't take one (wish I did) but I'm doing a placement year abroad in Amsterdam right now and its so eye opening to be on your own in a new place surrounded by a different culture, you're gonna love it!!!
I just want to say that for all the reasons you mentioned for wanting to take a gap year is literally all the reasons I want to! I have said that I would want to look for work when I graduate university and taking a gap year now when I have the least amount responsibilities will benefit me more. If I wait, it may not happen, and if I choose not to, then I will have regrets! The point is, it’s nice to see someone having the same views about taking a gap year. I am taking a gap year btw, after I really thought about, not about doing it specifically but how I would tell everyone, what would people think, what would I do. Just so many questions after thinking about it during my junior year (last year, 2016-2017), by the end of the year I realized that is what I wanted to do. To any one thinking about taking a gap year, trust your gut! You are in control of your own life. :)
Your plans/ideas for your gap year honestly sound amazing, and are really making me consider a gap year as an option-it would give me the opportunity to do all the things I've dreamed of doing and places I would love to visit!
Awhh thank you so much! I'm so excited just talking about it haha 🦋 there definitely are so so many impossibly amazing things to do, and I think however you spend the year, the personal growth is going to be immense x
I’m watching this as you’re on your gap year and watching the people you’ve met and places you’ve been i bet you’re going to remember it forever ❤️
as long as your happy, that's all that matters, we love you x
and that is what I guess it all comes down to 💫 thank you for your understanding ma beautiful human xxx
Good for you! I took a gap year and it was the best decision for me. I don't think I was mentally ready for uni and needed the time to discover my direction. University will always be there, so there shouldn't be a hurry to go. Great inspiration you are, Jade!
I'm so happy for you. Good thing that you considered taking a gap year. You are so inspiring to me because you just do what you want to do and you don't really think too much about what others will say. That is something that I still struggle on as of now but hopefully, someday I will have the courage and confidence to be the best version of me. I wish you all the best! Good luck! You're right, never waste the gap year! Keep growing! You're beautiful.
So much love from the Philippines!
I love that you're doing what makes you happy, you're so inspiring and so many people look up to you, your life is so organised and mines is a hot mess, but I plan on changing that haha, good luck in whatever you do, love your videos 💗x
I knew you'd take a gap year, I knew it! when I saw that chatty video, I was even going to gently suggest that you should take one, because you should't keep your passion bottled up:), plus, i could see you really wanted it even then.
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This is just what I needed!! I have been considering a gap year myself but it’s such a big scary decision which makes me think I should take the leap. Wishing you the very best💘
Yes, definitely. I debated far longer than I'd like to admit 💘 thank you so much xxx
I’m glad you are doing what makes you happy, it really inspires me to do the same! I really hate the idea that you must do everything the same way as everyone else or get looked down upon if you wish to try something else. Good luck with college and your plans xxx
yes, yes and yessss again! Thank you so much for your support! means a lot xx
Love you jade!
Do what makes you happy because you succceed only when you chase what makes you happy! xxx
Keep the videos coming!
it means a lot, thank you so much!! and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos my friend xx
Awh it’s so good hearing someone else wanting to take a year out! Uni applications are so stressful 😫 there’s no rush in getting to uni and settling into a job etc etc. I’ve always wanted to volunteer abroad with animals but the programs are SO DAMN EXPENSIVE!! But anyway ENJOY IT SWEETIE!! (And maybe I’ll see you travelling one day next year😏💜)
yesss I feel you with the stress! And I GET YOU! although there are actually a lot of projects that are cheaper than I couldn't ever first imagined (look at IVHQ and ecoteering!) xx
UnJaded Jade thank you so much!:)
Hi, funny to watch your video now. I actually took a gap year this year also! I was scared also, but it was a consequence of uni entrance impossible. I went to Peru, in a volunteer project, (medecine and amazonian projects) then worked for two months as a seasonal in hotel, and then went to Malaysia. And guess what? I finally succeed my entrance exam, and am officially a med student. And yes, getting back to studies was quite hard, and yes it is stressful, but girl it was one of the best experience I got to live, and it just fulfilled me with so many memories, people and I would totally advise it to anyone... And would do it again like 100%! I love your videos! I hope you enjoyed your gap year (or still do if you're in it) Enjoy, you're living your better life :)
I went to university this year after spending all summer hoping that I didn’t meet my conditions and that I could have a break. I lasted 4 weeks before I withdrew and came home and I haven’t looked back since. If I’ve learned anything from the experience that your happiness is the most important thing and your heart doesn’t lie to you. Good luck! ✨
it's amazing to see ambitious people like you... people who are always willing to help... you are very inspiring, really. Everytime i watch your videos it gives me hope, and makes me want to fight my anxiety and become a better person.... Stay as you are Jade, you are truly amazing and deserves all the best in your life 💜 Hopefully i will become like you one day :), someone who inspires others.
lots of love x
Best of luck Jade i will always support you and thank you for all the help you have given us in our Gcse last year.
Now first year of 6th form is stressful but watching your video is what keeps me going love you so much Jade! xxx
YES JADE! I'm so happy you've finally revealed your plans to everyone else!! It means so much that I inspired you to make this choice, and I promise that you will 100% not regret your decision whatsoever. I'm also incredibly jealous that you're planning to backpack the East Coast (can I pls join you) - it was THE BEST TIME and there's so many blog posts on my blog and ahhhh just let me know if you need any help or anything w/ planning since Australia is my favourite 😍 You're about to have one of the most amazing years of your life, if not THE best so far. Take every chance you get and say yes way more often. Your year out is the year to grow and learn and try everything. Extremely jealous - good luck with everything ❤️❤️
So so excited for the experiences you're going to have! Your optimism in this video is literally so palpable and so I think that is proof in itself that this is the right choice. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!
I really appreciate this Faye! Thank you so much for your love and support ❤️ I truly can't wait x
Love this vid ! I've been watching you for ages and you are such an amazing and inspiring person. I was considering a gap year but after consideration I'm going to uni next year. Good luck on this journey can't wait for you to share it with us!🌻🌎
This is crazy I was born in Holland too and it's so frustrating when you forget to speak it but can understand the vast majority of the language .. I think it's fantastic for you to go back and pick it up again ♥️♥️
oooo im excited for you!! good luck for next year, its so inspiring and motivating seeing someone with such incredible goals for your year! excited for the travel vlogs (will there be travel vlogs??)
ps. i have family in holland too!!
Awhh thank you so much! I'm excited for this crazy journey too 🦋
P.s There will be travel vlogs ;))
Such a good decision Jade! Taking a gap year was the best thing I ever did, you learn so much and such a great opportunity to grown as a person. Im excited for your life lovely! x
Ah, thank you so much for sharing your experience and for the support! It means a lot 🦋 I'm equally excited to see what materialises hey xx
Ahh yass gal!! Im also planning on taking a gap year before university so its reallly nice to hear that someone my age in the same position as I am right now is also planning a gap year too. All the love and support your way !! Youre my favourite youtuber and one i can relate most with keep doin you gal!!
Girl, GOOD FOR YOU! In America, it’s really hard to take a gap year and still succeed, (I’m a senior in high school this year) and I think it’s so awesome that you’re following this dream! You obviously have amazing plans, and I can’t wait to see what you do! I’m so jealous that you get to do all this stuff - I’ll be living vicariously through you!
Hi Jade, this was such an inspiring video! I really wish I had taken a gap year but I know that, personally, I wouldn’t have gone to uni if I did. I was only ever interested in my languages at school (regrettably) but now I’m in uni I wish I had taken the time to explore the world! Even though I also wished I’d payed attention more...!
Proud of you for making this difficult decision and love your choices!
Eva xx
Wow watching this again almost two years later...so proud of how much you've grown as a person and on your channel. I am so happy you took your gap year!! Everything has worked out and I can't wait for the Minerva videos!!! You are always an inspiration and continue to grow, mature and become an even better person every day. We will always support your decisions and watch you grow. Best of luck for Minerva xxx
hey :) i think this sounds amazing and just wanna let you know this is making me consider taking a gap year. you mentioned going to Holland with other people that were learning Dutch as well and I did something like that but with Spanish. I lived in Spain but didn't really speak it so last year I went to another part of Spain (I live in France now) to improve my Spanish with a load of other people that were also learning. From my experience, I would recommend not to go with people that are also learning but to just fully immerse yourself in the language. Even with 4 hours of lessons a day, (which I had of Spanish), it honestly does not help that much as for the rest of the day, you most likely won't be speaking the language. This is of course only a suggestion and what I got from my experience but I wanted to share it anyways :) i hope you have a great gap year !!
I took a gap year prior to going to Oxford to study Biology! It gave me time to read around the subject without being constrained by a syllabus, I did work experience to strengthen my application, and the break from studying really revitalised my attitude towards learning- all while earning money which has afforded me a degree of financial independence. Would totally recommend! Good luck with it all :)
Oh my goodness no wayyy! Thank you so much for sharing your experience 🦋 I can't wait to explore the things I'm interested in definitely!! Lots of love xx
mshkn31 this is so cool and inspiring !! May I ask, what sort of work experience did you do? :)
I'm so excited for you!! And Ik that although the pressure of uni will slip slightly you'll still stay on top of it and will reach your amazing potential❤❤
I'm honestly so happy for you love, the gap year idea sounds amazing and like it will truly help you find yourself as well as allow you to help so many others! You make such a big difference in our lives here on UA-cam and now you'll have the chance to do it in a broader more worldly way. Please continue making these videos, I'll be starting university in the same year as you now! I'm currently in year 12 and I'm doing the IB curriculum and your videos never fail to inspire and motivate me, thank you for everything Jade. You honestly have no idea how much of an impact you've made on my life and I truly wish you all the best!
I am from Germany and I never considered not taking a gap year, it is really common to take one here and I heard so many amazing and inspirational stories from friends who travelled or worked abroad. So I am really looking forward to it and I am sure you will enjoy it! :)
Jade you are such an incredible person! Im so happy that there are people like you in this world! I've been reading through all your replies to comments, it's just amazing how a person can be so humble! Love you lots xxx Mel
Awww Mel!! 💖 bless you, thank you so so much! At the end of the day, I'm no grand youtuber. I really am just Jade. I want to be happy and I want to be my best and I equally want to help as many people as I can ;)) I truly appreciate your support my friend xxx
This is just what I needed! A bit of jade to finish my long day! 💖🌟✨
Sending you a whole lotta love 💜 xx
UnJaded Jade I’ve just made a video based on this topic! I’d love it if you’d check it out and tell me what you thought Jade! 😊💖
Honestly I’m so glad I had a gap year! It gave me so much time to prepare for uni and honestly once you’re there you don’t even notice that you’re there a year later than everyone else ☺️
I'm currently in the process of applying to university too and I have no idea what I want to do!! I've thought about taking a gap year but was really worried and didn't know what I would do during it, however this has given me a lot of ideas, a gap year sounds like a great idea!!
I'm so so glad!! ❤️ I definitely find that schools do not give young people enough information about gap years and how you can spend them productively! whatever you end up doing, I am certain that it will be the right decision for you in the end! good luck xx
So glad you're also making the decision to take a gap year. I'm in sixth year in Ireland and I decided to make the same decision as you. Not many people i know are taking a gap year so it's great to have someone else taking a gap year. X hope you have fun in your gap year
I took a gab year too, just to assure that the field I want to go into is really the one I feel good about. So I worked for three months to earn some money, now I did three months of different internships, in November and December I want to focus on NaNoWriMo, reading and sports (which is kind of important for my dream job) and then I want to work my a** off again so I be able to pay for my university and to travel next summer. Even my mom thinks I am about to waste a year but in my opinion I already grew so much as a person through all the experiences I have made and the people I met. Definitely think you did a nice thing there. :)
love this video! It really made me rethink whether i was so certain about going straight to uni, I know with the course and careers path I want to go down, I may not have the opportunity to travel afterwards (travelling being something I know I want to do). I'm really looking forward to your videos next year - sounds like they'll be incredibly fascinating, and maybe help me decide :) xx
I'm on a gap year myself and I think the major factor was just how difficult the last two years were for me mentally and physically. The stress of A levels really took its toll on me and i was doing it all by myself with no help from teachers or tuitions. And then my personal life was kind of a mess as well. After giving my exams i was not looking forward to jump straight in to a university. I did not want it, it was shocking. I didnt want to go to a university.
Falling from A+ and As to BBC was a major shock to a high achiever like myself
I wasn't gonna do anything or make any plans until i got my A levels results which i was sure id flunk. But waiting for results meant missing all deadlines and that was the choice I made
Later i found out I hadn't even flunked like I thought I would.
I took these months to relax I wont lie.
And now I am wanting to go to university sooooo bad even though the thought of it got me stressed before. I learned alot about myself and I think it was a good time to reflect what went wrong and know what I really want.
Jade you are so strong, and I'm so glad that someone as academic as you is making this video, and showing like minded people that this is a valid option !! Much love & good luck ahhhh ! 💛
Oh wow Jade!! You’ll be going to uni at the same time as me, that’s so cool 🌻 Hopefully the year will be very fulfilling and rewarding 💜
This is awesome. Good decision! I regretted not taking a Gap Year before I started Uni... so when I graduated (from Nottingham!) I was lucky enough to be in a position to defer my Masters and did it then (I also worked full-time over summer and left at the end of November - I went to New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia. Best thing I ever did!)
Awh. Me too! I’m a Year 13 who’s going to take a gap year. For me, it has 3 main benefits:
- I’ll have my A-Level grades when I apply, meaning I don’t have to worry about “will I meet my offer?”
- I can work full time and save up some money
- It’s a year out from education! It’s stressful, but I know uni is the right choice for me. It’s a year of not revising, which right now, I’m okay with that.
x