Like a growing number of students set to graduate high school in June, Charlotte Richer says the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted her to explore the idea of putting her first year of post-secondary education on hold.
« I’m considering taking a gap year if my programs move to full online learning, » said Richer, 18.
The Grade 12 student at Ottawa’s De La Salle French public high school is still deciding between offers to study arts, including drama and theatre, from McGill University and the University of Ottawa.
« When our classes this year moved to online it was difficult for me to adjust, » she said. « When I heard that university classes next year were possibly going to be held online, that started to shift my perspective as far as what I was going to do and what the best option is for me. »
The thought of taking a gap year has become a popular topic among her friends, Richer said.
« It’s the general question in the air: how will the year play out for us? People are for sure considering taking a gap year and not jeopardizing their first year of university. Some people would rather just work for a year. »