X Ox College asa young student >» Gap years can cause instability so maybe they should be avoided Angelika Leal Contributor s going to college at a young age beneficial? Personally, I would say that it is. When I had finally become a high school senior, the first thing I did was research every single potential college and university. I studied all their requirements and planned out what I wanted to major in. Because for me, the most logical thing to do was to continue my studies right after I graduated high school. At this point in time, I’ve graduated twice from an accredited post-secondary institution (from diploma programs and all that jazz). Soon after I turn 22, I'll be graduating for the third time. The point of this isn’t to ‘flex’ as it is to say that I’m glad I did this at such a young age. For starters, it's easier to remember things that I learned in high school because I didn't take a gap year. You might’ve heard the rumour that learning a language is much easier to do when you're younger. As someone who loves learning languages, I didn’t want to go too long without having seen or studied French. The same goes for any other subject, such as math or science. Since my last post- secondary education was entirely theatre- based, going into any course related to math or science feels as though I had never learned them before. Plus, I assume that the momentum of studying is easier to maintain than if I had to throw myself back into school. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a year or two of breaks and then have to readjust to the demanding scheduling of my classes. It gives me a sense of stability as to how I should manage my time, and how it'll be easier to maintain when I finish. People I know that have taken a gap year have always told me that they regret it because suddenly they have to cater to something that takes up a huge chunk of their time. By the way, I’m not saying that gap years are completely terrible. If you need that time off for mental health, financial reasons, etc., it’s understandable. I just think that personally, a gap year would do me a disservice more than anything. Even though I was still in school during 2020, I found that coming back to campus this Fall made it feel as though I had to re- learn how to be a student. Lastly, as much as I love all the things I’ve studied and all the friends I’ve made in college, it'll be a relief to be finally free from school. After I graduate for (hopefully) the last time, the rest of my life will no longer revolve around grades and last-minute crams. Instead, the rest of my life will be dedicated to doing what I want to be doing—and I'll already have the skills to get there. ee Is 1t better to be a homebody or a social butterfly? » The right answer to an age-old question Photo by Billy Bui Emi Namoro Contributor ruthfully, I have always believed that there are three different sides to who you are. There is your public persona that is less intimate, there’s the persona that you show to family and friends, and there’s the private side of you that only you know. Notice how I mentioned persona for the first two but not the last? The reason why is because we tend to adapt how we act and behave towards other people, but not when we're left alone. So, when it comes to asking if it’s better to be a homebody ora social butterfly, I would say that it depends. Personally, I am both a stay-at-home gal and the life-of-the-party. My public persona has always been the loud, bubbly side meanwhile the side that my family and friends know best is the more reserved one. It has always been this way for as long as I can remember. I don’t think that it is necessarily a bad thing because it’s who Tam. I am sure that if you take the time to reflect on your own personas, you will find out the same thing, too! Now, let me let you in a little secret: I don’t think that there is one way of being that’s better than the other. As someone who needs her alone time and who also enjoys going to new places to meet new people, I have experienced the joy of being both a social butterfly and a homebody. Asa social butterfly, you witness the beauty of meeting others as they are. You explore new horizons and go out farther alongside those who give you energy and bring forth those parts of you. Many find you approachable and friendly, which in turn, opens doors to many more friendships and relationships in your life that will bring adventure. It is such an exciting time to find those that help you feel comfortable being yourself. There’s no need to hide who you are. Asa homebody, you witness an entirely different perspective. Instead of going forth in different horizons, you opinions // no. 15 © Gap years can cause instability so maybe they should be avoided e Is it better to be a homebody or a social butterfly? ..and that's everything! Photo by Billy Bui explore inwardly within yourself. You learn that there is joy in spending time alone and finding complete peace in doing so. There is no need to worry about others because your main priority is yourself. Of course, there are people in your life that don't drain your energy, and when you find them, you tend to keep them close. These are the people worth knowing and that invite you to explore other worlds apart from your own. Is one better than the other? Probably not. Why? Because we need each other. We can't have a world full of introverts or extroverts. We need both to function properly as a society. Accepting each other’s differences is what will turn this world around. Actually, it's gravity, but you know what I mean. Let’s not focus on who's better than the other, but instead, celebrate each other’s differences. After all, as the hit High School Musical once put it, “we're all in this together.”