So as stated in many of my previous articles I have written, I did THREE years of community college instead of the typical two years just to be able to save up more money for a university and to be able to raise my GPA as well.

Since I just transferred this past year, I am considered a junior although I have completed almost four years of college.

This also means that most of the people I went to high school with are graduating very soon and I don't get to share the same graduation excitement they are currently experiencing for another academic year.

Seeing their pictures on social media of them graduating from their undergraduate institution is making me regret that I chose to do an extra year at community college. I do wish I was finishing up my degree this quarter and preparing for possibly graduate school or a job in my field. I feel like I am missing out and can't relate as I have fallen a year behind my expected graduation year.

Yet, at the same time, I am proud of myself of doing what I needed to do to get into my top choice university and figuring my way through my undergraduate journey even if it took longer than expected. Through changing my major various times, taking many, many classes, working many hours, and balancing my social life, I have to say that extra year has been worthwhile.

Although I am missing out on the fun of what graduation entails, I think being a year behind compared to those from my high school graduating class happened for a reason. I have another year to fully get my life together a bit more and be prepared more before I go out into the working force.

I am extremely proud of all my friends graduating this spring and even though I won't share being the graduating class of 2019 with them, it is still inspiring me to get to that degree by the end of next spring!

Congratulations to the class of 2019! I can't wait to see you all do great things with your life post-undergrad!