In my article Why Millennials Can't Grow Up, I wrote about my generation's challenges while going through college. I found myself connecting with people who have felt that at some point, college has torn them down because they had underestimated the change of pace after high school, or had spent a ridiculous amount of time and money figuring out what path they should take. The more people I spoke to, the more common problems I found with these people who must take extra time to finish college.

1. You have failed a class.

You have flunked classes because you have underestimated the demands of college. You have changed your major countless times without finding your niche. You have broken down mentally, physically, and emotionally. In high school you had never actually experienced defeat, so college has seen your absolute worst moments. But at least you have learned what failure entails, sooner rather than later. Your losses don't actually mean failure, but instead you've simply found "10,000 ways that won't work," as Thomas Edison once said about the light bulb. You are actually on the verge of greatness.

2. You do not have a 4.0 GPA.

You do not necessarily have the best grades. But that is because you have learned that there is more to life than book smarts. Maybe you have had to work to afford school and pay bills. Maybe you have been raising a family. Maybe you have had health issues. Whatever the circumstance may be, you have learned that sometimes things take priority over school, but instead of putting school aside, you keep fighting. Your lack of perfect scores does not mean that you have not been trying your hardest, but that you have multiple responsibilities to uphold. You have actually dealt with people, experienced problems in the workforce, and maybe even started a family. Once school is over, you are ready to shine.

3. You have spent an insane amount of time and money on unhappiness.

College is supposed to be the time to find where you fit in to make you shine, but you had found destruction upon entering. Everyone else around you had seemed to know why they were there, and what to expect. You, on the other hand, had spent thousands of dollars on the stress of learning how to cope with school and personal life, or not being happy with your chosen career path. You had watched everyone finish school and move on, while you are still here, working toward your diploma. At some point, you had forgotten why you were there in the first place.

But you have learned so many lessons along the way. You know more about yourself than ever before. You know what it is like to be a workaholic, but since you have already reached your breaking point, you have learned how to enjoy yourself too. You have already set yourself free, so you can continue to tackle things with a clear mind. Others might not reach this point until further along in their career.

5. You have to deal with criticism.

You have the superpower to turn your greatest weaknesses into your greatest strengths, which is a problem for those trying to find your flaws. Somehow you have surpassed your downward spiral into self-destruction, and you have come back stronger than ever. You have learned what works for you and what doesn't, so that you don't make the same mistakes that cause you stress, and have used it to your advantage. You have already learned that your greatest enemy is yourself, and you have already fought those inner demons, and so no one will be able to stop you. The fact that everyone is a critic does not phase you in the slightest.

6. You are too equipped for change.

The problem is that no one will be able to keep up with you. One thing that can really hurt a person is not being able to get out of his/her comfort zone. But you have been pushed to your limits, held at the edge of the precipice of breaking down forever. And yet here you are, still working toward your degree. When you go into your career, you will easily find ways around every problem until you are the best worker, whereas others might be caught up in such a routine that they do not know how to cope with changes.

All in all to any overwhelmed college students: you are amazing. You cannot accept defeat, you persevere, and you take action. There is nothing that you cannot bounce back from, and so the biggest problem is not actually for you, but for your competition in life. Everyone else better watch out, because you are coming for them stronger than they can handle.