IN WEALTHY COUNTRIES, a gap year is often seen as a luxury—a celebrated time to step back from school to travel, volunteer, or pursue new experiences. Traditionally, students in places like the U.S. or Europe take gap years as a bridge between major life phases, such as the period between high school and college or after college before starting a career.
These experiences are meant to enrich young people’s lives, helping them develop life skills, see the world, and find a sense of purpose before diving back into structured education.
However, in countries like the Philippines, the idea of a “gap year” takes on a very different meaning. For many young adults, stepping away from school is not a choice made for self-discovery or adventure. Instead, it is often due to financial hardship, family obligations, mental health concerns, or limited opportunities.
Here, the concept is not rooted in privilege but in necessity.
The Pandemic Pause
Approximately 37% of students withdrew during the 2021-2022 school year. The college dropout rate rose significantly to 41.03% in the following year, eventually stabilizing at 29.4% by 2024, according to data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
These fluctuations in dropout rates can be largely attributed to the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, which impacted students’ academic performance and mental health.
Members of Generation Z who were expected to graduate this year but paused their education due to the pandemic shared their experiences with RepublicAsia.
Jahna Asong, 21, shared that the gap year she took was a time for healing. Mental health and personal loss were central to her decision to take a break from education.
“The pandemic was the toughest year. During that year, my Nanay and Tito died, and it was hard for me to continue not just the school year but everything in life,” she shared.
To make the best use of her time, Asong decided to work instead, a choice that allowed her to support her family financially and emotionally.
Sera, 22, not her real name, failed to be admitted to her preferred program in civil engineering at her top university choices. Later, she received an offer to enroll in a different program, entrepreneurship, as her fifth choice, but it did not feel right.
“I attended the first two weeks, but I just couldn’t find the motivation. Maybe my mental health played a part in that, so I dropped out without telling my parents,” she explained.
Because of the torment of disappointing her family, Sera decided to just keep it to herself.
Money plays a significant role in a person’s education, particularly in the Philippines. Financial resources often determine access to quality education.
For many families, the cost of tuition and related expenses can be a major barrier, making it challenging for students to pursue their academic goals.
Fern Elloenaie Grace Redoña, 21, exemplifies this struggle noting that her family’s needs come first.
“Hindi namin kaya financially ‘yung tuition. Dalawa kaming college sa family and walang source of income parents ko aside sa pension ng Lola ko,” Redoña shared.
For Redoña, the pandemic made an already difficult financial situation even tougher. She described how she took on various jobs to help support her family during this time, knowing that every peso counted.
“I had to keep helping out financially while studying,” she explained.
“Sinubukan ko bumalik ng school last year pero pinahinto rin ako ng mama ko para ‘yung kikitain ko raw ay ipambabayad sa bills sa bahay kasi hindi na kaya ni mama ang mga gastusin gawa rin na graduating na rin ang kuya ko.” she added.
A Necessary Pause
For many, taking a gap year was more than a break; it was essential. The pandemic disrupted routines, pushing students out of classrooms and into roles they hadn’t anticipated.
As schools moved online, many struggled to adapt to remote learning or simply didn’t have the resources for it. For students like Asong, Sera, and Redoña, the choice was clear: focus on survival, whether by supporting family or prioritizing mental health.
“I took a break to help my family and to get myself back on track,” Redoña shared. “It was tough, but it made me stronger than ever.”
While the time away may feel like “lost time” to some, for these students, it became a period of personal growth. They learned real-world skills. For Filipino Gen Zs, the gap year was not an escape but an opportunity to pause, recalibrate, and find the strength to continue.
Asong shared the fruits that her decision brought her. “As I look back, it did not hinder myself from growing and progressing, but rather it helped me to redirect myself and find truly myself, and the top of that was that I found my purpose in life.”
Though the gap year has provided valuable life lessons, it hasn’t come without challenges.
For Sera, one of the hardest parts of returning to school was the pressure to catch up. “I felt like I was on a different timeline compared sa friends na kabatch ko.” she shared. “Seeing them move on to their last year or even start their first jobs made me question if I had done the right thing.” She added.
The experience of starting again meant not only adjusting to academic rigor but also dealing with self-doubt and worries about being “behind” her peers.
This Isn’t a Race—You’re Not Left Behind
Returning to school or entering the workforce can trigger feelings of being left behind, especially when peers are graduating or starting careers. But for these students, the gap year, though unplanned, added depth to their character. The traditional timeline no longer defines success; instead, it’s the resilience and adaptability they bring with them.
Through her experience, Sera has come to see her journey as uniquely hers—a path that, while different, has equipped her with strengths she wouldn’t have gained otherwise.
Today, Sera is in her third year of a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) program and is excelling academically. Her time away from school helped her find clarity, redirecting her passion toward a field where she is now thriving. “My journey may look different, but I’m bringing strengths I wouldn’t have gained if hindi ako nag drop,” she said.
Asong, too, echoes this sentiment. After years away, she returned to school and is currently in her 2nd year of pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting program. As a working student juggling life and academics, she finds it challenging but is filled with hope and perseverance.
“It’s not about who graduates on time or later; it’s about who enjoys the journey,” Asong remarked.
Although Redoña has not yet returned to her studies, she is content, helping her family. She’s hopeful that once her brother graduates, she’ll have the chance to pursue the education—and the future—that she deserves.
As the landscape of work and education evolves, the time spent working, supporting family, or focusing on personal well-being has given these young adults skills that are valuable in any path they choose.
They’re not behind—they are moving forward with a deeper understanding of life and themselves.
Your Journey, Your Pace
In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to feel pressured to keep up, reach milestones on time, or even compare oneself with others. But as Gen Z Filipinos who took gap years are discovering, sometimes the best way forward is to take things slow.
Taking time off from school is not a setback—it is a chance to rediscover personal goals, values, and priorities. For many, these gap years allowed them to see life from a different perspective, helping them develop a new appreciation for small achievements.
“I learned that it’s okay to go at my own pace,” Sera shared. “Not everyone has the same journey, and that’s okay. Ang importante lang naman talaga ay ang magpatuloy.”
The journey of these young adults highlights an important lesson for all: success does not come with a deadline. Instead, it’s shaped by resilience, adaptability, and the courage to make choices that may look different from the conventional path.
Whether they’re finishing school, starting work, or taking one more step toward their dreams, they’re doing just fine. Their stories remind us that slowing down doesn’t mean stopping—it means finding the rhythm that’s right for you.
So, to anyone on their own path—whether it involves a pause, a beginning, or a return—know that your journey is yours alone. Embrace your pace, appreciate the strength and skills you gain along the way, and remember that every step forward matters.
