#My100Days: Focusing On Your Passions
Every year, CGS students share their gap semester experiences with us through the hashtag #My100Days. For many students, the gap semester is a chance to focus inward, whether that means pursuing a hobby, spending time with family and friends, or prioritizing self-improvement. From starting a blog to running a marathon, here are some of the ways the Class of 2023 discovered themselves during their gap semester.
Hanna Huang
Hanna Huang spent her gap semester in her hometown of Missoula, Montana. She worked at a preschool and as a hockey referee at her local ice rink, while also finding time to play hockey, go on adventures outside, and spend quality time with friends and family. Hanna says she is extremely grateful for her gap semester experience. “After graduating high school, I was not mentally or emotionally ready to go back to school. I got to use my 100 days to work on my mental health, happiness, and independence. At the end of the fall semester, I was ready to tackle college and moving across the country.” Her advice for the Class of 2024 is to be present, look for the positive, and not compare your life to anyone else’s.
Adriana Rodriguez
Adriana Rodriguez spent her gap semester creating, designing, and launching her blog, Adry Talks. “My gap semester was huge for me since I finally had the time to try so many things that I otherwise just didn’t have time to do,” she says. During her gap semester, Adriana launched her blog, grew to 50,000 visitors and developed a series of sponsorships. Her advice for the Class of 2024 is to spend the time doing something that’s important to you. “The best advice I could give an incoming freshman is to not be intimidated by the things that other students may be doing like traveling the world or getting internships, and don’t be afraid to do something simple or something you’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” she says. “You can take this gap semester to just learn about yourself and relax—and that’s perfect.”
Alan Chau
For Alan Chau, the gap semester meant taking the time to focus on self-improvement, including spending time at the gym and meditating. “I took the time to reexamine myself socially, emotionally, as well as spiritually and physically,” Chau said. His advice for incoming students is that you don’t have to have a dream job or trip planned to get a lot out of your time. “The gap semester can be really used for experimenting, for expanding your horizons, to do something you always wanted to do but never had the time to do. So go out there and do something.”
Stephany Batterina
Stephany Batterina used her gap semester to run her second Bank of America Chicago Marathon! Stephany (second from left) said she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to train for and run the race without her gap semester.
Michaela O’Gara-Pratt
Michaela O’Gara-Pratt made the most out of her gap semester in many different ways, working at a bakery, exploring sites around New England, and challenging herself to read a book a week. Her advice to other students is to focus on things you love and to learn how to enjoy spending time with yourself.
Are you a member of the Class of 2023 who spent your gap semester focusing on you? Email us at cgscomm@bu.edu to share your #My100Days story.