Whether it was kindergarten, high school, or college graduation, graduation is a milestone and a time to self-reflect on all the hard work you put into your education. So, when I got the news that I would not graduate in the spring with my class, I was devastated for a long time. I tried so hard to find ways to change that fact but knew that wouldn’t be possible due to me transferring schools and changing majors. It took a toll on me; I thought that my worth and my hard work would not have value if I did not graduate on the "set" four years with my class. This all stemmed from the pressure of others around me and the feeling that things in life must be done according to a schedule. I was so scared of what other people would think of me when they heard that I was graduating later.

I felt like a failure and it was hard to keep going at a point. But then I started talking to other students around me and realized that it was more common than you think to graduate later, especially if you change your major. The average time it takes to graduate, according to U.S Senator Ron Johnson, is four to six years. The Department of Education also states that about 60 percent of students graduate in six years. There are factors such as money to even take the amount of class needed, the major you choose, changing majors, transferring schools or random life changes that may require you to take a break.

By stating that I was a failure, I was comparing myself to another person’s journey. I assumed that because it took me four years to graduate high school, that college should also be the same. Once I heard other people’s stories that were similar to mine, I realized that life will go on and I looked at the advantages of graduating later. Graduating later means being able to take my time and end with a solid resume of jobs, internships, good grades and more opportunities than if I rushed. I can take the time to enjoy my classes, find new interests, network more, and plan my future ahead accordingly. This is not a life sentence of how my life will turn out.

Everyone has their own journey to go through. Just because you may take longer to graduate, find your dream job, start a family or any of the milestones you wish to see in your life, it does not mean you’re doing it all wrong. Stay on a path of what you want, be patient, work hard and understand that bumps in life happen. Only good things will come from your patience and determination. Whether you graduate in four, six, or even eight years, understand that that is an accomplishment to be proud of. It’s okay if you don’t graduate on time, so cherish the moments that happen in college.