There is no shame in taking a fifth year of college. It is actually becoming semi-regular for most students. Whether you are in a program that takes longer, or if you decided to change your major four times, there you are, in a class you are too old for. Well, you aren't too old for any class. But if you are like me, you either did something like never finish Baccore or you added a minor super late in the game. Either way, you are now sitting in a freshman level class as a senior or super senior.
It's not all bad though, or so I have learned the last couple weeks. So, here are my pros and cons of being a senior in a freshman class:
Pro.
You already know how it all works. There is no way this class will be hard, if you have taken a 400 level class then you know that this 100 or 200 level will be a piece of cake. A four page paper? That's nothing compared to my senior research paper of 26 pages.
Con.
You forgot about the busy work. Sure the tests may not be hard, and the papers are short, but holy hell -- they keep you busy with tons of four point assignments. Making sure to schedule all those little assignments in can actually be rather frustrating.
Pro.
You are already well established on campus. You know the fastest way to classes, you know your clothes don't matter, you know to just put your phone away in class. You never have to fret over rules, they are basically a part of you know.
Con.
If the other students find out you are older they will ask you for advice on everything. No seriously, from what is the best way to get across campus, all the way to where is the best bathroom. Most of the time, I am polite and answer, but sometimes I just roll my eyes. I am not an information machine.
Pro.
You actually can give good advice. While the annoying questions get asked, it is actually nice to be asked about classes in your major and such. Being able to help a student interested in your field is one of the most rewarding pass times.
Con.
Teachers make fun of you. I honestly didn't expect this to happen. I joined my second minor late in the game, but it was important to me to do. I did not expect jokes to be thrown at me for not taking these classes younger. Now while there are people who do just put it off, I just realized I should go after m passion when I was junior. I shouldn't be shamed for that.
Pro.
After a long hard day of classes, I can go to Clod's and get a Guinness and curly fries. No one else in my class can follow me there, and that is one of the finer pleasures in life.
I'm sure that over the course of this term I will figure out a bunch more pros and cons of being almost 23 surround by doe-eyed 18-year-olds. Yet, for now, I have experienced this before.
Have any pros or cons to add? A funny story about being a senior in a freshman class? Comment below!
