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

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

#11

Post by kup0 »

I've been wishing as a 29 y/o that I could find a way to take a year off from work without it financially ruining me, and spend that time both traveling and coding. I still have a lot to learn, but I've always had this burning desire to code deep down. It has manifested in building websites, but I want to dig deeper. I'm doing so to an extent, but with other obligations in life (mostly work), it ends up going on the back-burner more than I would like. I feel like I need a year of rearranging my life. A complete overhaul. Even if it's not all coding, but working for a non-profit or volunteering, doing other things that affect the world in positive ways, and/or traveling while doing these.

I have traveled before and it was great to see the world from a different perspective. I feel I need that again. Maybe call it an expensive empathy-building exercise.

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

#12

Post by tigershen23 »

crazypyro wrote: post #8

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, m…

Interesting thoughts, thank you. I feel like taking a gap year is an opportunity to learn things that I couldn't necessarily in a classroom.

Applying again next year, I'll be able to include all of my grades and test scores from this academic year, which will be an improvement. As long as I show that I'm not just wasting a year of my life, I don't think a gap year will hurt my chances of getting into school.

You also said that I'll have a lot of free time in college to explore my own interests, but isn't that a valid reason to take a gap year too? If I can go into college already knowing what's important to me and what I want to do, won't it make the experience that much better?

WDYT?

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

#13

Post by tigershen23 »

jchrome wrote: post #10

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 shootin…

Awesome :) I'm very interested in photography, and I'm determined to document the year, so that's something I'll definitely be getting into.

As a minor, traveling is a bit more trouble (not impossible), but getting away for a few months would be amazing. Thanks dude(tte)!

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

#14

Post by tigershen23 »

smileysteve wrote: post #5

- 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.

- Any recommendations for specific places? Spain (I speak Spanish) and Japan are my top two destinations as of now

- Definitely.

- Sweet - would you recommend any organizations that organize this kind of stuff, or am I better off just googling around for things in my area?

- No question.

Thanks!

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

#15

Post by tigershen23 »

taprun wrote: post #4

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.

Sweet - I'd be lucky to accomplish half of that.

Re: networking - do you think age is a factor? In your experience, have these meetups been inviting, or did it take a lot of effort on your part to start making connections?

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

#19

Post by jtfairbank »

crazypyro wrote: post #8

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, m…

Totally disagree. In Sweden almost every kid takes a gap year (or more!) which prepares them much better for college. They have some time to live alone and transition, and can focus better when they get to school.

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

#20

Post by ronmadethis »

crazypyro wrote: post #8

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, m…

I disagree. After high school I didn't know what I wanted to do and during the time I took off I discovered computers.

If you have any doubt about what you want to do in life take some time to think about it.

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