When I see people crib about Mondays, I get distressed because:
- I like accomplishing tasks and challenging myself.
- Others are getting the opportunity of going out and doing something productive.
- I’m a kid on a drop-year.
In all honesty, I’m not ashamed to be on a drop year. Yes, it does get me all the fake sympathy and motivation and lots of “haaawwwww” from inconsequential people and it also gets me tons of questions like “why didn’t you take admission in any other college? Why didn’t you opt for any other course? Do employers even consider drop-year kids?” But none of it puts me down. Taking a drop-year was my own choice and I still am an aspiring lawyer wishing to study abroad.
I won’t deny that taking a drop-year to work on my resume so that I can apply to the finest law schools in UK wasn’t a hard decision. But all I know is that everything would be worth it. I didn’t drop a year, I just earned one to work on my well being. Being on A drop-year can be fun/depressing//life-changing/rewarding/unrewarding, it all depends on the person taking a drop year. But since we are taking a drop-year, we should strive to make it the best for ourselves so that it puts us on an advantage in the future. Here are a few tips to get you going through the quivering boat of your drop-year:
- Be an eternal optimist: Think positively! Don’t let any negativity bring you down. Don’t bother about how much fun other kids are having at college, assure yourself that you’ll have twice the fun that they’re having now. Cut out all the negativity of any form from your life. It’s unhealthy.
- Read extensively: You have a year with you. Read. A lot. Educate yourself. Don’t restrict yourself to the course books, but read anything that you can lay your hands and eyes on. Not only it’d enhance your general knowledge but your vocabulary too!
- Strategise: Start off by dividing your work into portions. Read continuously for nearly 15–20 minutes and reward yourself with a break of maximum 10 minutes. Go back to reading, increase your reading time simultaneously and take a break every hour. Make a to-do list and study according to it. Reward yourself as you complete each task.
- Focus: Avoid any sort of distractions. Keep your mobile phone or any gadget aside. Forget about your surroundings and push yourself to complete each task. Don’t listen to any music while studying either. Do not multi-task. Just focus.
- Go out!: Do not confine yourself to the four walls of your room and stop staring at the ceiling. Get out of your house, don’t jail yourself. Go out and explore new places. Meet your friends. Stop worrying about your work for a while and just relax.
- Time for hobbies: Since you do not have to attend college for year, you definitely have the time for your hobbies. Play, watch movies/sitcoms, listen to music, learn a new language or instrument, work on your physique, cook, paint or do whatever you feel like doing. You are no longer obliged to adjust your hobbies with your tight schedule so, make the most of it!
- Communicate: During a drop year, many kids fall victim to depression. That is why, it is of utmost importance to talk to someone, discuss your mental state, express yourself. It can be anyone- your parents/friends/colleagues-anyone. Don’t keep things to yourself, it would destroy your mental well-being.
- Time Management: It is really very important to build a time-table and work accordingly because you won’t even realise how fast the time flies! You may keep assuring yourself that “I’ll start tomorrow, I still have many months”. No, don’t listen to yourself! Start today itself because by the time you begin with your work, you’ll barely have any time left. Be disciplined and remember; it’s mind over heart when it comes to being professional!
Till then, keep working on yourself and carpe diem, mates!
