After earning a year's worth of Advanced Placement credits in high school and taking 18 credits each semester, I was ecstatic to learn that I am able to graduate college a year and a half early. When I tell people this, I get mixed responses. While I am often congratulated, sometimes, my decision to finish college early is questioned.
Pro: You Save Money
Perhaps the biggest perk that comes along with graduating early is that I won't have to pay another year's worth of tuition. That also goes for saving money on all the school lunches, books, and gas for the daily 25-minute commute.
Con: You Have to Work (full time!)
As an undergrad, the closest experience I ever had to working full time was at an internship I had over the summer. Now, after graduation, it's up to you to find full-time work that pays well to keep your over-ambitious self-financial stable.
Pro: No Homework/Studying
For possibly the first time in your life, you will not have to stress about having homework, projects, essays, or any last minute cramming. And, you don't have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night remembering that you forgot to finish your history essay.
Con: Applying for Graduate Programs
I'd take a 30-minute Spanish 101 worksheet over studying for the LSAT any day. Preparing and applying to graduate programs is stressful enough and makes you wish you were an undergrad again.
Pro: You Feel Like An Adult
Even though it's low-key awkward that in a few months, you'll be graduating and working full time while your friends are just about halfway done with school, you do feel a sense of maturity and the responsibility that goes along with it.
Con: You're the 'Newb'
At age 20, you can bet that you'll be the baby of your workplace, and be extremely inexperienced as well. What's even more bizarre is that you can't join your colleagues at happy hour.
Pro: New Connections
After having school be your biggest priority these past few years, you finally have the opportunity to branch yourself out to other people besides your student body. New friends at work? A new significant other? Be prepared to meet some new people.
Con: You'll Miss Your College Friends
As lucky as I am that most of my college friends are commuters, it's gonna be weird not seeing them on campus or in class every day. You can just hope that their school schedules don't interfere with your free time.
Pro: You'll Feel Accomplished
I can definitely say that my biggest accomplishment to date is graduating early -- especially at a school that does not have the best four-year graduation rate. After all your hard work, you'll be amazed at your achievements because they were all worth it in the long run.
Con: You'll Have Haters
People will certainly be jealous that you're finishing school before them and some may even call you arrogant for sharing the news. You'll be told that you're missing out on the best times of your life but you have bigger and better plans in store. You know this is what you want and you have every right to be proud of yourself so don't let anyone take that away from you.
