Taking A Gap Year: Alumni Reflections on Growth and Adventure

We recently caught up with Asha Pohan (‘23) and Lochie Dean (‘22), two Launceston Grammar alumni who chose a different path after graduation. Instead of heading directly to university, they opted for a gap year - trading textbooks for work, travel and personal growth. 

Reflection by Asha Pohan, Class of 2023
When the conversations about our ‘futures’ began in Year 10, I really struggled to figure out what I wanted to do after graduation. As time went on, nothing became clearer, and I felt rushed into making a decision. I wanted the simple answer of going straight to university like everyone else. Eventually, I realised I wasn’t ready for university - and that was okay. Accepting that was the first and most important step in deciding to take a gap year. 

During my gap year, I worked in retail, hospitality, and as a Teacher’s Assistant. I also did nannying, dog sitting, and house sitting. These jobs gave me a broad experience and helped me save for an eight-week backpacking trip across Europe, visiting seven countries: Greece, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, and England. 

A typical day during my gap year started with nannying in the morning, followed by a five-hour shift at another job. Afterwards, I’d come home to no homework - instead, my “homework” was planning my Europe trip, which was way more fun! 

One of my favourite places was Interlaken, Switzerland. If you enjoy hiking, nature, or adventure, I highly recommend it. I also loved the Greek Islands! I highly recommend an experience like this if you can make it work - and I’m happy to help anyone thinking about it, because I know it can feel overwhelming at first! 

The biggest challenge I faced was going against the crowd. Our lives are long, and taking one year (or even more!) off won’t set you back. Whether you spend your gap year working, travelling, or simply recovering from the stress of Year 12, the experience is valuable. It’s helped me figure out who I am outside the structure of school. My plans for the year after also changed, so if you’re unsure about what comes next, taking a gap year might be exactly what you need.

What are they doing now? Asha is now studying a Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours), in her first year at La Trobe University, Bendigo.

Reflection by Lochie Dean, Class of 2022
I made the decision to take a gap year because, at the end of school, I wasn’t yet entirely sure what I wanted to do. Throughout Grade 12 I was so focused on my studies and sport that I didn’t have enough time to properly think about it, and the thought of university was overwhelming. 

Reflecting now, taking a gap year was the best decision for me, and I’m so very grateful for the experience. For the first half of my year, I had to time focus on sport, work, and save up to travel during the second half of the year. Most importantly, I had time to carefully consider what I wanted to do. In July, I sat my UCAT exam in the hope of being accepted into Medicine at UTAS. That done, I set off on my travels.

travelled to London with two of my friends from school, and then back packed around Europe for four months, travelling to 17 different countries. This was one of the most exciting and enjoyable periods of my life. I gained independence and new perspectives which I have now carried into my medicine studies. 

My favourite moment was travelling to the Albanian Alps with a group of 15 Australians. We hiked for five days through beautiful mountain ranges and stayed in small towns where we spent time meeting and having fun with the locals. 

Organising, planning and constantly adapting to new environments during my travels was challenging but ultimately very rewarding, and has made me a much more open-minded and capable person. 

I would highly recommend a gap year to anyone uncertain about what they want to pursue. It’s also a great opportunity to work on yourself, achieve other goals, and take a break from all your study efforts! 

What are they doing now? Lochie is now in his second year of a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at UTAS, Hobart.