Mill Valley Public Library Hosts Gap Year Workshop for High School Students

It’s becoming increasingly common for high school graduates to take a year off between graduating high school and beginning college. It’s easy to understand the appeal of taking a gap year; gap years offer the opportunity to travel, gain work experience, or volunteer. But what does it take to create a successful gap year? Is it possible to take a gap year without spending a ton of money? How can a students decide if they even want to take a gap year? These are important questions that deserve thoughtful, informed answers.

On October 2nd, from 7-8:30 PM, the Mill Valley Public Library is pairing up with Sam Bull to provide those answers. Bull is a gap year consultant who has been helping teenagers achieve their gap year dreams since the 1980s. He became interested in gap years at a young age, taking his own when he was 17. His father was the first full time gap year counselor in the United States, and Sam has followed in his footsteps, helping people to design gap years that reflect their interests and values. He believes that there are many more ways to learn outside the classroom. “Going out and experiencing the world firsthand is critical for personal development and happiness,” Bull says. When asked what advice he would give to young adults considering a gap year, his emphatic response is, “do it!”

Students who are in the midst of taking a gap year, or have recently taken a gap year, will also be sharing their experiences at the October 2nd event. They will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of planning the year in advance and how their respective colleges felt about their decision to take a gap year. Sam will provide information about different gap year possibilities and talk about how one can take a gap year without breaking the bank. He encourages students to individualize their gap years, focusing their needs and interests when planning their adventures. By the end of the night, students who want to take a gap year will have a roadmap for success.

This event is part of the Library’s First Thursday series and is open to high school students and recent graduates only. Registration is strongly recommended. Register here.

For more information about the Library’s programs and services for young adults, visit www.millvalleylibrary.org/youngadults or contact Katie MacBride at kmacbride@cityofmillvalley.org