By Hannah Barter, Administrative Officer
Considering a gap year between completing your undergraduate studies and starting an honours or master's degree can be a transformative decision, offering a wealth of benefits beyond the traditional academic path. This period of exploration and growth provides invaluable opportunities to gain real-world experience, clarify career goals, and develop personally and professionally. In this Q&A article, Hannah Barter dives into her experience taking a gap year between university and her Master’s to become a psychologist.
Why did you decide to take a gap year?
Hannah Barter: I think there were a few reasons behind my decision to take a gap year after finishing my undergraduate degree.
Firstly, I was honestly starting to feel myself burn out towards the end of my degree. I had completed four years of a full-time course load at university, with the final, honours year being the most stressful and intense. I knew I would struggle to do another two years immediately after that and I wanted to give myself the best start to my Master’s as I possibly could. I felt that by taking a year off I could really consider my options, specifically which course I wanted to study and where I wanted to study. Having this extra time to reflect, would allow me to go into the next two years feeling confident in my decision.
The gap year also enabled me to gain some experience working in the field. I have been working at Northside Psychology since February the experience has given me the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the business and to meet some great psychologists along the way!
Did you have any reservations at first and why?
Hannah Barter: I had a few reservations deciding whether or not to take a year off studying, most of which came from external pressures to complete my training in the shortest possible timeframe which would mean starting my Master’s immediately after my honour's year.
I hesitated because of social comparison. Many of my peers were beginning either a Master's or a PhD program immediately, and I felt pressure to follow the crowd even though I knew I would not be best placed to do the same. I also had family members encouraging me towards the more efficient route of starting a Master's straight away.
I think there is pressure in general to follow the traditional, accepted structure when trying to achieve anything in life, and university is a great example of this. In an ideal world, everyone who aspires to be a psychologist would be able to finish their university education in the shortest possible timeframe, but that isn’t always be the case. I have been fortunate enough to be able to take this time to make decisions which will empower me going forward.
What have been the benefits of a gap year? What has it helped you discover?
Hannah Barter: The benefits of taking a gap year have far outweighed the drawbacks so far. I have been able to take the time I needed to work on managing my own stress levels and to take a break from the demands of studying. I have really found time to rejuvenate and bring myself back from feeling burnt out. This has allowed me the space to ensure that my wellbeing is a priority, and to re-ignite my passion for learning and psychology.
I have already learnt so much this year about what it means to be a psychologist and what providing mental health care looks like from a business perspective. I have had the opportunity to speak with practicing clinicians who have been so generous with their time and their wisdom. The experience has helped me to gain a balanced perspective on the job.
Do you recommend gap year to others? If so, why?
Hannah Barter: I would recommend a gap year to anyone who feels that they need it. I think there is power in taking the time to listen to yourself and your own needs, and to really think about your decisions before diving in. From my point of view, I feel more confident that I will find success and longevity in my career because I took a step back and opted to engage in different ways of learning about psychology, which has ultimately allowed me to renew my passion for the field.