To Graduate Early or to Stay the Full 4 Years in College, that is the Question
The reasons I have been told by my friend and others for graduating a year early all stem from a deep hatred of some sort for the universities in which they attend. Other reasons come from wanting to enter the work force or graduate school one year early. However I still ask, what is the rush? Why graduate one year early.�
I personally strongly favor all college students graduate in four years. The full four years is necessary to take in all that college offers. That full four years allows you to study abroad for a semester or join a fraternity, sorority or club and really devote your time to making new friends and having the time of your life.�
College is one of those once in a lifetime experiences. Once it is over you can't go back to it. You can't reverse time. It is important to stay the full 4 years so that you have no regrets about leaving college. For some students, college life revolves around solely academics and that is a darn shame. For every type or kind of person there is a group or team or club that you can join to make your college experience more enjoyable. In graduate school or work there is always time to crack down on academics. Many students mistake graduate school as an extension of college and it really isn't. In graduate school you pretty much have academics and you don't have that opportunity to join a club, team, job, or organization.�
Another reason I have heard is financial reasons. This is my end of the argument: If you need money get a job or get financial aid from the university. The only legitimate reason I can understand is if you need to get a job right out of college to support your family.
The full four years of college is also necessary to get internships and jobs that will help you gain experience towards your desired career once you finish college. Your university is very helpful in providing internship and job opportunities for you.
In addition, graduating in 3 years puts so much extra pressure on you. You have to take classes over the summer or overload your course load. You will have to take 5-6 courses instead of the usually 3 or 4 and that is a huge difference. In addition, for some semester you should only take 3 or 4 courses like during the semester you are studying hard to take the Law School Admissions Test or other graduate school tests.�
Finally, you should take that full 4 years to spend time with your friends. Once college is over, your relationships and friendships with the guys and girls you have grown older with during college will never be the same again. You will most likely loose touch with most of your friends as you move onto graduate school and get a job. That is similar to my high school friends who no longer stay in touch because we have moved onto colleges in different states. Sure we see each other once during the vacations and summers, but the friendship just isn't the same.�
Those full four years you should look back on with fond memories. So let the real world wait another year. Take my advice and word for it, stay in school that extra year.
Published by The Outlaw
I am a student at Binghamton University interested in law. If you are looking at my Bio for spelling errors there aren't any. View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentWhat do you mean the usual 3-4 classes? My scholarships require me to take atleast 14 hours a semester which equals out to atleast 5 classes...at Oklahoma State University, you're a slacker if you take only 3 classes, 4 is the lowest you should ever take unless you are about to graduate and have only 3 classes left. Another reason to graduate early, what if you're ready to get out from under your parents? Mine control my whole life and they are paying for my college so I can't complain, but I am 20 and ready to be out into a career and supporting myself. I don't know how your internships work, but here we can still get them even if we are ready to graduate and what's better is if you are ready to graduate you can keep it longer than just 6 or 8 weeks and turn that internship into your career.
You my friend are a retard! I enjoyed college in three and a half years. No wonder you go to binghamton......
Its easy to say that finances aren't a valid argument, but they can easily tip the scale. Often times, that extra year isn't worth it when it costs you, your parents, and your siblings additional hardships. You're not really doing yourself a favor either by starting your life in debt, just because you wanted to "enjoy life" and join a few organizations.
As a student at UC Berkeley, I would love to stay the entire time, but financial constraints put the pressure to graduate early. And I don't regret it. With a double major, a minor, and work in several student organizations and jobs, it was worth the money i spent. But not a penny more.
Excellent article; I agree that students shouldn't be in a rush to graduate in under 4 years. You miss out on so much because you spend even more time on your studies and less time experiencing the college life if your cramming 4 years minimum of school into 3.
I would say with the economy the way it is, you are better off in school than the workplace. The thing about college is it's a safeplace to gain experience. There are also opportunites to do Internships or study abroad. And when you are finished you can go to grad school if you wish.
When I finished college I had the opportunity to do a further Internship or go to Grad school. Both I turned down and these are decisions I regret. Therefore, I would urge all college students to make the most of the wonderful opportunities out there. And know the real world is tough so make sure you are prepared. If you think you would like an Internship or to go to grad school do it, because you may never get another chance.
I've got mixed feelings on the issue. On the one hand, I think the college experience is a great thing. I met a lot of interesting people, learned a lot, and had a great time. On the other, college is expensive, and unless you're rich, you're probably better off getting out as soon as possible.
That said, I wish I'd stayed longer (and I was in college for 5 years), because the job market right now is pretty bad for young, inexperienced workers.
I am a huge advocate for early graduation. I finished HS early and I did my masters and law degree in 3 1/2 years. (yeah both) The work was so predictible that it really didn't take 5 years to do both. Tons of people graduate early. I always tell people for every hour you're sitting in that classroom, you're not out making money and you're losing precious time with your family/friends. If you don't need to be there, don't be there.
Spending an extra $40k for the 'college experience' is a waste of money. If you can graduate early, do it. I came in with had many high school AP credits, which may be the reason I was able to do this, but I was president of two clubs, in a sorority, and spent a semester abroad in Spain, and graduated a year early. To say that those who graduate early have no lives outside of academia, or to say that everyone who graduates after the full four years "have no regrets" is presumptuous and stupid.