By Jeff Sierra, Academic Advisor
Your gap semester is highly individual—there isn’t one way to spend your 100 days. If you want to pursue some learning opportunities during the gap semester, you can learn for college credit or for your own personal enrichment and growth.
Remember– you don’t have to take a course for college credit. You may wish to learn for the sake of learning! Here are some suggestions.
Gain life skills
Check your local community colleges for adult education courses in cooking, the arts, or life skills such as personal finance or sewing. Many of these courses are enjoyable and can teach valuable skills that can help you in everyday situations.
Take a free course
Websites such as Khan Academy or EdX offer free online courses in the humanities, history, math, and more. This can be a free or low cost way to explore academic interests without taking a formal class during the gap semester.
Learn on your own time
Seek out a reading challenge or join an online book club on Goodreads or Instagram. You can also join CGS’ online gap semester book club! Websites such as Ted Talks have short lectures where you can learn about extraordinary accomplishments, overcoming adversity, and building resilience.
Look at the resources in your hometown
During the summer many local libraries, state and local government, area colleges, or local nonprofits may offer lecture series, courses, and events that can be attended for free or at a low cost.
Find a podcast series about an area that you wish to learn more about
Podcasts are a great way to learn something new while you are commuting, working out, or just hanging out! Podcasts such as Every Day Einstein, How Stuff Works, Invisibilia, and others are a great starting place to learn about topics that you may know only a little about or nothing at all.
Push yourself
Fitness classes at your local gym or YMCA can be a great way to learn new skills for personal growth. If you’ve always wanted to learn to swim, play tennis, or learn yoga—now’s your chance!
Learn on your phone
Phone and tablet applications such as Duolingo can be used to learn a new language, Grasshopper is a great way to learn the basics of coding, and Headspace can introduce you to mindfulness and meditation.