Post by Victoria Chitongo

Last week I was featured in a BBC News article. https://lnkd.in/egJBkUUX Just a few years ago, it felt like the “worst case scenario” when I received 4/4 medical school rejections in Year 13. Taking a gap year to reapply felt like a huge risk. Medicine was a highly competitive course and I already had an offer to study Neuroscience at King’s College London, graduate entry was always an option. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that this choice stemmed from a fear of failing again, especially with a lack of visible success stories. So I did it anyway. In the months that followed, I learnt the value of delayed gratification, trusting my gut, and building the resilience (or maybe stubbornness) needed to pursue something uncertain. This was especially true when support from those around me came with understandable caution. Ultimately rejection isn’t always redirection. Sometimes it’s an opportunity to step back, learn what you can, and recalibrate your next steps. If you’re unsure about taking a Gap Year? Here’s what I’d wish I’d known 🤔 1. You don’t have to decide anything right now. Wait until results day and focus on achieving the best A level grades you can. 2. Pace yourself, especially if you’re reapplying for a course with a deadline this October. Doing entrance exams post-A levels can be tough! 3. Talk to your Sixthform or college to see what support they have for students who are reapplying in their Gap Year (this will help with the teacher reference and/or registration for entrance exams). 4. Gap Years are only useful if utilised with intention and goals in mind. Imagine you are about to start your gap year, how would you plan to use this time effectively? Write it down and then convert it to an ‘I must achieve…’ list. I’m glad to see more gap year success stories emerging as the narrative continues to change. #gapyear #rejection #medicine #reapplication #ucas #year13