Most people receive their bachelor's degree from college in four (or five) years, but there are some who only take three years to obtain that degree. Many people are impressed by this accomplishment, but they don't understand the struggles behind it. Here are five questions that are frequently asked to those who graduate in three years and the answers that they will typically get from them.
How is that even possible?
Hard work and lots of motivation. Over the past three years I have busted my back trying to get ahead academically. I have taken extra classes during the semester, in the winter, and in the summer. I have spent winter and summer vacations in front of my computer doing online courses while everyone else is out enjoying themselves. I have studied twice as hard in order to keep my grades up with all the extra classes. I have spent countless nights doing homework until the early hours in the morning, just because I have so much more than the average student. I've also spent many days planning ahead to make sure I get all the classes that I need to take done before I graduate. This also means countless e-mails and visits to my academic advisor just so I can keep on track with my schedule. So basically, I've worked hard, really hard, to get to the position that I am in today.
So what grade are you in then?
This question may just be the hardest one to answer. My first year I can easily say freshman. My second year is probably the trickiest when trying to give it a label. I'm a sophomore, but I'm also a junior. Does this make me a jun-more? Typically, I just go into a two-minute explanation of my situation instead of just giving them an affirmative answer. And the third year ... technically I am a junior, but since I'm graduating this year, I guess I'm a senior? It's all just so confusing.
Why would you want to graduate a year early? College is suppose to be the best FOUR years of your life.
Deciding to graduate in three years instead of four is one of the toughest decisions to make for someone who is privileged enough to have that option. I love my college. I love my friends, my professors, the clubs I'm in, the campus and just the overall atmosphere. This is hard to cut short. But at the end of the day, it is the biggest money saver. College is ridiculously expensive, and this can really take a toll on someone when they're paying for their own tuition like myself. Therefore, saving money was the ultimate motivation behind the decision to graduate a year early. Thankfully, with the amazing friends I've made, I know I can always come up and visit, so I don't have to worry too much about missing out on the fourth year at college.
Do you feel that you had enough time to do everything that you wanted to do at college?
In order to graduate in three years, you need to be a naturally driven person. This drive helped me to do all that I wanted to do at college and much more. I have joined clubs, attended events and met more people than I ever thought was possible in four years, never mind three. I've lived a busy life in my three years at college, and there is only one aspect that I wish I had more time for: my friends. They are truly the most amazing people, and thankfully, they have always stuck by my side no matter how little they see me. They usually make fun of me for always having somewhere to be, sometimes it's two places at once, but they are always there for me.
You are going into the "real world" a year earlier than expected. What do you plan to do and how does that make you feel?
It's a weird feeling to say the least. Anyone going into the "real world" is bound to have some type of jitters. I feel that I am ready for it; if I didn't feel that way I would've stayed in college for an extra year. I have the will power and motivation to go after what I want once I graduate, and am humble enough to understand that I won't always get exactly what I want, whether that be a job or into a certain graduate school. Personally, I hope to go get my master's degree. The way I look at it, I have saved a year's worth of tuition and can use it towards graduate school. Others may choose to go straight into the workforce. When applying for jobs, emphasizing that you graduated a year early will show employers the type of drive that you have, which is helpful in almost any company. Either way, entering the "real world" can be nerve-wracking, but you just have to be optimistic with this new experience.
