Six Months In

It’s now officially halfway through the school year and this also marks the halfway point in my Gap Year with Yipiyap. Since September it feels like I have been on a never-ending rollercoaster and as it’s the beginning of March and many of you in Year 13 will be preparing for your A Levels and considering options for next year, I wanted to reflect on my experience at Yipiyap so far with the aim of helping you decide if Yipiyap might be right for you.

From the very start my placement, school have been nothing but phenomenal in their treatment of me. I have been made to feel so incredibly welcome in every respect and have forged solid (both working and personal) relationships with everyone in my department.

Every day at my placement, school provides a different challenge and a new opportunity to impact the lives of deserving young people. Although the experience of tutoring young people sometimes only a few years younger than myself can seem odd it quickly becomes my greatest ‘weapon’ in winning the student’s trust. The students don’t view me as a frightening or unapproachable figure – they view me as someone they can approach, someone who will listen and this has been the greatest blessing of the role.

More than anything this experience so far has been hugely humbling. Some of the students I work with have very challenging home lives full of uncertainty and often school is their only constant and as part of this school community I provide stability for these incredible and promising young people.

So, if you are considering a Gap Year and you want to make a real impact on the lives of young people – look no further! It’s not always easy but when a student succeeds in a mock exam or when you hear a “thanks Miss!” it makes all the effort worth it.