Author: Dr. Ajit Varwandkar

Sir, I wish to take a drop year and prepare well for the competitive examination once again.

Many times, students who have achieved their Senior School Certificate (i.e. Class 12th) approach me to evaluate the idea of taking an academic break. In most situations, I tend to advise them against their decision to have a gap year. In this column, I shall explain the rationale behind dropping the idea of a drop year! 

Typically students who are MBBS aspirants and do not get the required marks in their first attempt at NEET are tempted to take a year more for focused preparation. Their logic is that they could not focus well on medicine preparation because of board examination preparation. As such, one more year will help them to get good marks. However, as a career counsellor, I have observed that 95% plus students who took a year’s drop for NEET preparation could not achieve a substantial rise in their marks in the subsequent attempts. Thus, yielding to a year of loss and a massive reduction in motivation as well as self-esteem levels. 

There are a few more compelling reasons, because of which I recommend students against taking a year break. Here I list a few of those:

  • Discipline: The most prominent casualty for a student during the no schooling phase is discipline. Most students and parents have struggled to maintain a fixed routine during the gap year. Students tend to pick up inertia, and lethargy overcomes the study attitude. As a result, you do not get the intended results. 
  • Gap explanation: Most universities do not appreciate an academic gap phase when you apply for higher studies abroad. Sometimes, it becomes tough for students to justify the break in their studies. Likewise, in many job interviews, the recruiter may consider a gap year as a criterion to eliminate the candidature. 
  • Commitment: I have observed that during the no schooling phase, many students experience a commitment casualty. When students revisit the course, they realise the quantum of efforts required to achieve perfection. They also get clarity on their current level of preparedness. Sometimes, they get scared and start losing their enthusiasm. Thus, the whole purpose of taking a gap gets defeated. 
  • Course Uncertainty: The education system, has been evolving year after year. The rules of examination, the syllabus etc., always have a chance of getting changed. The lack of statutory conformity brings in a level of vulnerability. Sometimes, unexpected process changes can become a serious cause of concern for the student.
  • Vintage: Even if the candidate gets selected after a gap of one or two years, the consequences of losing a one-year vintage in most cases can carry forward throughout the career life, especially for those who plan for a job. I know of a student who took three consecutive year drops while preparing for UPSE. Finally, he got selected on his fourth attempt. However, by that time, his batchmates had already attained the role of his professional bosses. This scenario was mentally daunting for the candidate.  

Recently a student wanted to break for one year and appear for NEET 2023. I suggested her to enrol for a BSc course as a private student. This way, she will save a year’s loss in case there is a negative outcome in her next NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) attempt! Likewise, a student was determined to take a year’s gap to prepare for CAT (Common Admission Test): I suggested him to enrol for a year-long certificate course in communication skills. Thus ensuring that the gap year could be fruitfully utilised. Such an action would also help the student to convincingly justify the gap to future recruiters!

Dear Students, If at all you decide to take a drop, I urge you to workout a thorough plan of action before doing so. You must have visualised the different consequences in future because of this decision.

Do contact me in case you have any career queries.

Dr. Ajit Varwandkar is the Director of myaglakadam.com. He is a leading career counselor and can be contacted on 9826132972 or email him at info@fsindia.in

This column was originally published by the author in The Times of India