A gap year (also known as a "year out," "year off", "eferred year," "bridging year," "overseas experience," "time off," or "time out") is a term that refers to a prolonged period (often, but not always, a year) between two major life stages. The most popular gap years are taken pre- or during matriculation in a university or college, between college and graduate school and a profession, during a career change, pre- or post-marriage, upon having a first child, or pre- or post-retirement.