I am a junior at Mississippi State University, majoring in psychology and minoring in English. I am graduating in December of 2018, which is a semester earlier than most of those who started school the same time as me. This was a decision I made my freshman year of college and I have stuck to it since. Some people have asked me how or why I am graduating early and I would like to share my experience for people thinking about doing the same.

In order to graduate early, I have had to take extra courses during the year and summer. During the spring and fall semesters, I take anywhere in between 15-17 hours of classes a week. I try and look for easy one hour classes to add just to help out a little with the required hours to graduate. During the summer, I take 1-2 classes, all online, to get rid of my general electives and some of my minor classes. For me, it isn't that difficult but it can be stressful if I don't manage my time correctly. Like now, for example. I have an article due by five, work from three to nine, three quizzes and an essay due by midnight. This was an example of poor planning on my part but I know that I will get it all done.

Next is the question of why I am graduating early. I believe that it may put me a little above the crowd when I go to apply for graduate school and is a conversation starter in interviews, plus I can handle it so why not? Because I am graduating in December instead of May, that gives me a few more months to move to wherever I am going to school, find a job, and get some real life experience, all while saving an extra semester's worth of tuition and room and board. I have chosen this path so I can set myself up for me and my loved one's future.

Should you try and graduate early too? I can't answer that for you, but I do have some questions you can ask yourself if you're thinking about it.

Are you dedicated to school? I am extremely serious when it comes to school and making a B in some classes like intro to sociology or any other easy class is unacceptable. But that is just me. I strive to make good grades because I am so dedicated to my education.

Do you have good time management skills? Juggling 17 hours of school, plus a job, plus a boy/girlfriend, plus your social life, and any extracurricular activities can be exhausting. If you don't think you can do it, then don't. It is better to come out with a 3.5 GPA at a normal pace than a 2.7 if you're graduating early.

Is there a benefit for you graduating early? If you want to get your degree early just because you want to say you did is not an acceptable reason. I am doing it to make me a better candidate for grad school and to save some money. If there is no or minimal benefit for you to graduate early, don't do it. It isn't worth it.

I hope that my article has given some insight on why and how I am graduating early and if it is a good choice for you. Everyone is different and handles school differently. Just because you're different doesn't mean you're wrong.