Rather than pulling students back(V-ing短语作状语), a gap year(主语) pushes(谓语) them(宾语) ahead(adv作状语) by preparing them for independence, new responsibilities and environmental changes(by介词短语作方式状语) —all things that first-year students(主语) often struggle with(谓语) the most. (that引导定语从句修饰all things，在从句中作struggle with 的宾语，all things 指代破折号前and并列的3个名词词组)
翻译：
间隔年不是让学生后退，而是推动他们向前，让他们提前为独立自主，承担新的责任，适应环境改变做好准备——所有的这些事儿都总是需要大一新生努力去克服的。
