It’s the most exciting time of your life, leaving home, preparing for university and getting ready to experience the real world properly for the first time.

And taking a gap year is something everyone should consider. From skydiving over the Blue Mountains in Australia and diving amongst the coral reefs off the Gold Coast, to hiking up Kilimanjaro and jumping onto a safari truck afterwards, or even motorbiking through the favelas in South America, the world has SO much to offer and there’s so much to see.

While it can feel daunting planning a year away from home in the midst of a global pandemic – and for many of you it will be the first time you leave your families and travel solo – there are some basic tips and pieces of advice to follow to make planning hassle and stress-free.

1) Plan your route
While you may want to leave some parts of your trip unplanned, it’s good to have a general idea of where you want to go so you don’t look back and wish you’d done things differently. Keep in mind that some counties will require you take a COVID-19 test before entering – and that others may require a quarantine period on entry and on leaving. Visas may also be affected so remember to look into this.

Economically, it’s good to have a plan that makes sense with flight paths to save money on travel. Get a notebook and write down all the places you want to go, then plot them on a map, taking the most efficient and practical route. Remember that things can change fast during a global pandemic, so be prepared for every eventuality. Keep checking in with the news from your destination country (and back home), along with government advice and whether there are any hotspots to avoid.

2) Shop around for flights
Using a flight comparison website like Skyscanner will show you the best offers for your trips. If you are already a student, specialised student websites will also show up great offers to save money, leaving you with more to spend on experiences when you get to paradise!

3) Make a packing list – and pack for every eventuality
Check the weather and seasonal forecast in every country you plan to visit and ensure your covered for whatever weather you may stumble across. Comfortable shoes that you can walk in for miles are a must, and make sure you’ve got a first aid kit and paracetamol at a minimum!

4) Safety first
Send your itinerary to friends and family and make sure someone knows where you are at all times. Ensure you check your phone will work in every country you visit. Travelling during a pandemic is difficult but not impossible. Make sure you observe the latest social distancing rules specific to the country you are visiting in, and ensure you have a ready supply of masks and hand sanitiser for use during the journey and on arrival while you get settled.

5) Leave things organised!
There’s nothing worse than coming back from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to find your house in a mess. If someone is renting your place, book a cheap and secure storage unit like Safestore to keep your things safe, clean and dry.

And last but not least: HAVE FUN! Stay safe, stay in touch, meet friends for life and have experiences you could have never dreamed of. The world is your oyster – grasp life with both hands and travel yourself silly!