The term “gap year” traditionally applies to the year between high school graduation and college matriculation. For many students, the gap year is a time for adventure and personal exploration. The reasons that a student might opt for a gap year can be various.

“間隔年”這個說法傳統上是指在高中畢業和大學入學之間的一年。對很多學生來說，間隔年是用來冒險和探索自我的。學生選擇間隔年的理由五花八門。

A well-structured gap year can inform your college and career path, and it can educate you in ways you might not have imagined. But the gap year you see on television is not always the gap year that you find in reality. Here are three gap year myths that stand in the way of honestly evaluating whether a gap year is right for you. Debunked, they may make your decision process much clearer:

一個精心規劃的間隔年可以為你指明學習和職業的發展方向，還會以你想象不到的方式教育你。然而你在電視上看到的間隔年并不總是現實中的那樣的。這里有三個關于間隔年的流言，在你客觀評價間隔年是否真正適合你的時候影響著你。真相馬上揭曉，你做決定的時候將會更加清楚明白：

1. A gap year is like a vacation

1. 間隔年就像一個假期

Your gap year is whatever you make of it. Certain students choose to work, while others complete internships. Some students volunteer, or they travel while pursuing a self-directed education. But each of these options involves effort. A gap year is not a week at the beach.

你想怎么利用間隔年都可以。有些學生選擇工作，有的選擇實習，有的去當志愿者，有的在旅行途中引導自己學習。這里每一種選擇都需要努力，間隔年可不像在海灘玩一個星期那么悠閑。

Internships and self-directed education also involve concentrated effort. Internships are like a work-learning hybrid, and they can be an excellent way to explore a potential career field. If you choose to participate in a gap year internship, look for internships that offer training in specific skills, as well as a reasonable number of hours per week. Beware of “internships” that are actually commission-based sales positions – or schemes that take advantage of your labor and savings.

實習和自學都需要專注地努力。在實習中，工作和學習是同時進行的，那是探索未來職業領域的絕佳方式。如果你選擇參加間隔年實習，那就要找一些提供專項技能培訓的項目，每周的工作時間也要合理。小心那些按營業額提成的“實習”銷售職位和那些對你勞動力和存款圖謀不軌的項目。

Certain websites like Coursera offer free or low-cost education around which you can design a gap year. Self-directed education can also help you improve a weak academic portfolio. If possible, select those options that offer certificates of completion (or another way of tracking your progress) so you will have demonstrable proof of what you learned during your gap year.

有些網站(如Coursera)會提供免費或者低價的教育課程，你可以在上面規劃如何度過你的間隔年。自學還可以豐富你單薄的學術背景。可以的話盡量選那些提供完成證書(或者其他形式的學習進程記錄)的課程，這樣你就可以證明你在間隔年里學過東西。

2. A gap year can harm your admissions chances

2. 間隔年可能會降低你的錄取率

The effect a gap year has on your college applications depends entirely on how you spend that year. A 12-month gap in your education and/or work history could be a significant warning sign for a prospective school, but if you instead participate in meaningful experiences, your gap year can serve as a significant admissions boon. A gap year can enable you to start college refreshed and eager and a chance to demonstrate your maturity and dedication to your personal growth.

間隔年對你申請大學有怎樣的影響完全取決于你如何度過間隔年。如果你學習史和/或工作史中有12個月的間斷，那你未來的學校決定錄取你的時候可能會額外謹慎。不過，如果你在間隔年里經歷了很多有意義的事，那么間隔年就會成為重要的加分項。經過間隔年，你可以精神抖擻地開始大學生活，同時也可以展現你的成熟魅力和對個人成長的付出。

3. A gap year is expensive

3. 間隔年很費錢

Certain gap year programs require a significant monetary investment, but there are many opportunities for students who wish to spend less on this experience. You can also further your education with the (mostly) free resources mentioned above. Delaying college or your entry into the workforce for a year can seem like a daunting opportunity cost, but a gap year can ultimately become an excellent long-term investment.

某些間隔年項目需要大量的金錢投入，不過也有很多項目適合不想花費太多錢的學生。你也可以用上面提到的那些(大部分)免費的資源來學習深造。推遲一年進入大學或工作看起來或許是在糟蹋機會，但間隔年最終可以變成一個收益極好的長線投資。