With graduation coming up, sometimes it hits me that I am supposed to be graduating this year. I was supposed to be walking across the stage in 3 days, but instead, I still have another year. And that is okay.

I was never really sure what I wanted to do my senior year of high school. I was still undecided on my major and exactly where I wanted to go. I made the decision right after high school to go to a local community college for two years, for a few reasons. One of them was it was so much cheaper than going to a university. Another reason being I was not sure if I was ready to be at a university and I was still undecided on what I wanted to do. I spent two years there, earning my Associate of Arts.

After those two years, I transferred to the university that I am currently attending now. I decided that I wanted to go into elementary education, and when I transferred, I did not realize how long and extensive the process of getting into my major was (a background check, two different exams, and one of those costs about $250 to take, and not to mention the prerequisite classes that I had to take). I took me almost a full year to complete all of the listed, and also putting me behind a year.

When I first found out that I was a year behind, I was so upset. How could this happen!?! I need to graduate on time!! I was furious that I had let myself fall a year behind.

But as time progressed, I realized that it was a blessing in disguise. I got to fully finish my minor, so when I did get into my major, I was strictly in my upper-division classes, and could spend all of my time and energy on them. This was also beneficial for my transition here. I was able to take 4 classes rather than 5, which made the transition much more smooth, in my opinion.

While sometimes I do get a bit upset that I am not graduating, I realized that it is okay. It is okay to not graduate in 4 years. I know so many people that are taking more than 4 years to get their degree because sometimes 4 years is simply not enough time for some people.

What I am trying to say is take your time on your degree. Don't rush it just because it is "normal" to graduate in 4 years. It will all work out.