Many students elect to take a gap year at some point in their college careers. One common motive is to gain valuable experience in the workforce. However, Jonathan Zimmerman of The Chronicle of Higher Education believes that a year of national service should be required for college students. In his article, “Why Colleges Should Require a Gap Year,” Zimmerman posits that a mandatory service year would have positive effects on students and college communities.    While this proposal is certainly far-fetched, Zimmerman makes valid arguments to support his beliefs.

Zimmerman makes his central claim, or thesis, in the midsection of the article. He states, “A compulsory-service year would provide one very clear answer: We’re creating better citizens, and a better country. It isn’t just that required service would benefit our students, who would be exposed to the diversity and complexity of America. It would also make our nation a more decent and humane place, for everyone.” I know this is the thesis because it highlights the primary change and its benefits.

Throughout the article, Zimmerman makes smaller claims that contribute to his thesis. One proposal is that universities could partner with domestic agencies to aid students who may be financially unable to take a gap year. This is an important proposal because it addresses one of the most common concerns amongst college students, who are part of the intended audience. Zimmerman also asserts that obligatory service would lessen the gap between students who are financially capable and incapable of taking time off. These ideas support the claim that a gap year would “make our nation a more decent and humane place for everyone.” Decreasing the wealth gap would definitely be a step in the right direction.

Zimmerman’s use of logos and pathos keeps readers fully engaged throughout. One example of pathos is the paragraph following the thesis. The author writes, “Our students would clean up our parks and rivers. They would visit senior citizens. They would serve food at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and prisons. They would assist teachers in kindergartens and elsewhere at schools. They would help disabled people perform daily tasks.” This is an effective emotional appeal because it relates to groups that could use some assistance. One example of logos is the reference to Malia Obama’s service in South America. The author uses this comparison to demonstrate the relationship between wealth and one’s ability to take a gap year. He makes it easy to understand the flaws of the current system.

I took a gap year in 2020-2021, when COVID-19 was at its peak. The main reason is that I value the social aspect of college immensely. With all the rules regarding in-person interaction, I believed that taking a year to work and find my identity was the wiser option. While the gap year was certainly beneficial for me, I do not believe that it should be enforced on all students. For starters, I do not believe that anyone should be forced to work, especially when it interferes with education. I feel that it should be a choice for students alone to make. Additionally, the potential mental and emotional impacts of gap years are frequently overlooked. During my gap year, I hardly interacted with people my own age and often felt isolated. While my friends were having new experiences, I was stuck in the same place and had limited contact with them. These problems could have even greater consequences for students with preexisting mental health conditions. Although I oppose the idea of a mandatory service year, I believe that colleges should take additional steps to make it possible for financially handicapped students.