Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#1

Post by tigershen23 » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 6:19 PM UTC

I am taking a gap year and have no obligations from June of this year (when I graduate high school) until at least August 2016. At this point, I have no idea how I'm going to fill all of this time. I'd love to hear your suggestions for how best to take advantage of this opportunity.

A couple of notes on my situation:

- I'll be a minor (- I have saved up a good amount of money from working this past year, so I'm okay on that front as long as I don't go crazy

- I've been accepted into a top-10 Computer Science program for admission this fall that doesn't let students defer for a whole year. I feel like I have a good shot at a top-5 or top-3 school if I apply again this fall (for admission next year). I don't necessarily want to go to college yet, but I also don't take being accepted there for granted.

- I'm located in the SF Bay Area

Cheers :)

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#2

Post by alain94040 » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 6:39 PM UTC

I hope you had some kind of plan before taking a year off. But maybe you just wanted a break from all the non-stop studying (since you were a child).

There are so many ways... As extreme as: lock yourself in your basement and code for a year, all the way to travel the world. How many countries have you visited so far? If less than 3? Definitely try to double that number.

You want to do crazy experiments (like Justin.tv)? Remember these recent posts about a github project that will accept any pull request? Let people suggest stuff, and do them (and report) [within reason].

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#3

Post by tigershen23 » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 6:51 PM UTC

alain94040 wrote: post #2

I hope you had some kind of plan before taking a year off. But maybe you just wanted a break from all the non-stop studying (since you were a child). There are so many ways... As extreme as: lock yourself in your basement and code for a year, all the way to travel the world. How many countries have you visited so far? If less than 3? Definitely try to double that number. You want to do crazy experiments (like Justin.…

Yup, I mainly just want to learn/experience things that I wouldn't be able to in a classroom. Thanks for your suggestions! Travel will definitely happen, and I'll definitely document everything I do.

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#4

Post by taprun » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 6:54 PM UTC

I think the biggest mistake people make is not "building their brand." Create a presence online, create one in meatspace and get known as someone worth knowing.

For reference, I took some time off and wrote a book on a technical subject, created two big meetups and got hooked in with the local startup community. Now I go to local events and people are starting to actively seek me out.

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#5

Post by smileysteve » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 6:55 PM UTC

- Go on a long term international trip to find out how things work in the rest of the world. Particularly Europe, Asia.

- Blog several times a week about your new experiences.

- Volunteer for stuff to meet people, concerts, events, conferences, sporting events.

- Start a side project so that you will be ready to kick butt when you do start CS.

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#6

Post by dopeboy » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 8:23 PM UTC

alain94040 wrote: post #2

I hope you had some kind of plan before taking a year off. But maybe you just wanted a break from all the non-stop studying (since you were a child). There are so many ways... As extreme as: lock yourself in your basement and code for a year, all the way to travel the world. How many countries have you visited so far? If less than 3? Definitely try to double that number. You want to do crazy experiments (like Justin.…

Totally agree with alain94040. Come up with some crazy experiments to run and weave travel into it. Off the top of my head:

* Visit an elderly center, tell them you're traveling, and let them request certain attractions in the city you're in. You GoPro the whole thing and upload it for them when you're done.

* Come up with an interesting question and ask people as you travel e.g. "what do you think of americans?" , "what do you think of america?". Share the responses on a blog.

* Go to Cuba and capture the density of wi-fi signals you get. Document it in such a way that someone besides you could rerun it in the future.

Count me as jealous. Have fun and good luck!

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#7

Post by watmough » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 8:38 PM UTC

Personally, I'd lock myself away and write a bunch of Apps.

If I was you, I'd do some cheap traveling in South America or Southeast Asia.

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#8

Post by crazypyro » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 8:55 PM UTC

Whats the point of taking a gap year? I wouldn't take this unless you are extremely dedicated to some task, like a budding business, a dream to do something, something you are entirely into, not just an vague idea about taking a year off, especially considering you already have a top school accepting you. Waiting longer will probably only hurt your chances to get into a better school, not improve them. Beyond that, many people have taken "breaks" from school and then life catches up, so they never return. I would seriously consider just sticking it out and attending college. You'll have a lot of free time in college, at least in the beginning, to explore your own interests.

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#9

Post by contingencies » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 9:34 PM UTC

Travel, learn a human language.

Re: Ask HN: What would you do with a year off?

#10

Post by jchrome » Sun, Apr 12, 2015, 9:44 PM UTC

I'm working full time now and wish I had time to pursue artwork. I am now making photographs and printing them. But to really complete my concepts I need time and resources.

If I had your year, I would find some art form and try to perfect it. Then go back to CS in the fall.

Another option: go to Asia. And scuba dive. You can live in India for awhile for little no money. I spent 4 months traveling, diving and shooting photos and absolutely loved it. I don't think I learned a whole lot. But it was heaven.

Maybe do that and have some goal in mind. And if you do travel, you're going to take photos (how can you not?). So get good at making photographs before you go if you do (take a street photography class).