15 things to do instead of starting virtual college

Though you might not be able to jump into your dream career right after high school, you can start working in retail, food, and other industries.

Not only will you gain job experience in doing so, but you can also save your earnings for future school costs.

Though some internships require participants to be enrolled in classes, others accept those who have recently graduated. The Disney College Program, for example, allows those in school and those who graduated within the last 12 months to work at Disney theme parks.

Whether you take a long road trip in the US, or head overseas, traveling during your gap year can help you learn and grow without the pressure of classes and homework. You could learn a new language, experience different cultures, and develop life skills, according to Global Citizen Year, a nonprofit that helps students take gap years.

Of course, it's worth noting that travel isn't recommended in many parts of the world during the pandemic, with travel bans and warnings in effect, so it's best to check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for travel recommendations by country before making plans.

Though one might assume it's impossible to travel for volunteer purposes during a pandemic, the International Volunteer HQ has listed current program options on its website. At the time of writing, groups in Fiji, South Africa, and Portugal are accepting volunteers, according to the company.

One way to do so is by joining one of Habitat For Humanity's gap-year programs.

According to the nonprofit organization's website, there's a Disaster Corps branch that deals with natural disasters, an AmeriCorps group that works with construction crews, and other long-term projects throughout the US where volunteers are needed.

According to the Red Cross website, many volunteers begin working with the humanitarian organization locally. Over the course of a gap year, however, you could gain experience that would later allow you to volunteer with the Red Cross overseas.

"Volunteers with exceptional technical skills, Red Cross knowledge, and disaster relief experience — which often comes from volunteering with a local Red Cross chapter — can apply to become part of our international disaster response roster," the Red Cross says on its website.

Though you might not plan to move out right after graduating high school, chances are likely that you'll soon enough live in a college dorm or your own apartment.

That being said, you'll want to take time during you gap year to learn adult skills like cooking, cleaning, and managing a bank account.

It can be difficult to balance academics, free time, your social life, and family occasions once you begin college. So if you're taking a gap year starting this fall, you might want to consider devoting some time to family gatherings, dinners with friends, and other social events.

Whether you want to learn a new language for future travels or just for fun, a gap year is the perfect time to start studying.

According to Go Abroad, a website that helps students find travel opportunities, there are various ways to study languages, including watching movies, using language-learning apps and websites, and surrounding yourself with people who speak the language you'd like to learn.

Luckily in 2020, there are tons of websites that will help you start your business online. Etsy, for example, is a great place to sell art and handmade goods, among other products. Digital artists, on the other hand, can look to websites like Redbubble to sell their designs.

That being said, you don't need a long-term business plan for your gap year. If you're looking to make some quick cash instead, you could create your own shop on sites like Depop and Poshmark, which allow you to make a business selling your unwanted clothes and belongings.

As Business Insider Intelligence's Audrey Schomer previously reported, influencing has become a billion-dollar business. If you're interested in entering the industry, a gap year is the ideal opportunity to start.

Over that time, you can curate themed Instagram posts, work with brands on sponsorships, and join growing platforms like TikTok. To learn more, you can check out this influencing guide created by Business Insider's Amanda Perelli.

While you might not want to start your college education online, you could spend some time earning certificates and licenses unrelated to your major. For example, you could earn certificates in information technology, healthcare, construction, and more, according to the Community for Accredited Online Schools.

According to AuPairWorld, a pairing agency, working as an au pair during your gap year is a more economical way of traveling. Those who take part in an au pair program can expect to receive free lodging, meals, and sometimes earn money, so long as they take on housework and childcare.

During this time, you could read books about subjects you'd like to learn more about, or you could simply read fiction, biographies, and more for fun.

Though you might assume scholarships and grants are reserved for those attending college, there are actually plenty of applications that can be filled out during your gap year.

According to Gap Year Association, some of these scholarships fund educational travel during your time off, while others provide money to those pursuing philanthropic efforts.

• Read more:
• High-school graduates are taking a new kind of gap year as the coronavirus upends their college plans
• Teenagers are modeling their prom dresses during at-home photo shoots to make up for their canceled proms
• Seniors graduating from a Florida high school rode jet skis as their principal handed off diplomas from a boat during the ceremony
• A Texas principal traveled 800 miles to visit his school's 612 graduating seniors at home, all while socially distancing