But first, a little admin. If you plan to take your gap between school and uni- versity, then one of the most important steps is letting the Universities & Colleges Admission Service (Ucas) know.

You’ll probably be aware that gappers who leave school in 2005 are now exempt from the £3,000-a-year university tuition fees that are due to start in autumn 2006. To qualify for the exemption, you must register your intention to take a year off before August 1, 2005, which means putting a ‘D’ for deferment in Section 3 of your Ucas form. You should also make clear, in Section 10, the “personal statement”, why you want to take the time off. The closing dates for Ucas applications are October 15 for applicants for Oxford, Cambridge and medicine, and December 15 for everyone else.

Voluntary work

WHY?

Because if you’re looking for a challenge, you’ll find that the most profound and memorable ones come courtesy of charity work. Some of the projects on offer — rehabilitating landmine victims in Cam- bodia, for example — are truly hard-core, but it’s worth remembering that, these days, charities cover almost the whole spectrum of human activity. If the idea of immersing yourself in the problems of the Third World doesn’t appeal, there is plenty to be done closer to home. One thing is certain, however: when you give your time and labour for free, the work is almost always more interesting than the paid alternatives.

HOW?

Finding voluntary work abroad has been made simple by the spread of agencies that specialise in matching individuals with projects, as well as charities, which have become adept at recruiting gappers themselves. The one big drawback is the price: for the more exotic assignments, you may end up handing over £3,000 or so to cover air fares, insurance, training and lodging. The agencies do offer advice on how to raise such sums, but if it sounds prohibitive, then consider a project that’s based in the UK — these often involve no upfront costs.

SAMPLE PROJECTS

Build your own school in Botswana

Not one for the faint-hearted: Project Trust is looking for two young men to live in a large tent on the banks of the Okavango River, teaching in the morning and building in the afternoon at a school for disadvantaged teenagers. They’re expected to learn about bricks and mortar from their pupils, and make do with just two hours of electricity a day. They’ll also have to cope with the occasional wildlife encounter: there are crocs and hippos in the river, and a team of elephants sometimes make an appearance on the school’s football pitch. The project starts in August or September and lasts for 12 months, with full-time, on-site adult support for the gappers. It costs £3,950, full-board, including flights and pocket money, and is open to 17- to 19-year-olds.

The charity also organises science teaching in Guyana and sea-based outward-bound projects in Hong Kong (both last 12 months and cost £3,950, excluding flights). Call 01879 230444 or visit www.projecttrust.org.uk.

Dive with whale sharks in the Philippines