The first thing college students want to know once they get into college is how quickly they can get out of it. I'm not saying college is bad—it's just expensive. After eking out enough to apply, accruing student loans, dealing with food and housing, and buying textbooks, we've established decades of daunting debt. The sooner we're done with this money vacuum, the sooner we can start repaying it. Unless you're a special case.

I'm staying a year longer than necessary, so I wrote this article to explain why and what I'd recommend for anyone who has the same opportunity as me.

Some unfortunate people have to stay longer and a few fortunate souls can stay. The people who have to stay usually ran into some problem with their degree and have to stay an extra semester. The people who can stay are either addicted to debt and need help, or they're professor kids who have a free ride and want to make the most out of it. Those jerks.

I'm one of them.

My fifth year is free, so I'm staying. This is a rare blessing and one that I intend to take full advantage of. But I have one weird problem—I could finish next semester. No, don't pity me. Cast away your condolences and hold onto your prayers. Few suffer as I do, but there is a solution! I could just take more classes.

That's why I added a minor, as a junior going into my senior year. Psychology is kind of nifty, so I'll spend my last year doing psych classes and whatever else interests me. I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity and, if you can stay longer, I recommend adding a minor and taking classes that interest you. Whether we're staying longer or doing more for each semester, we should seize this rare opportunity to learn more, expand our interests, and enjoy college, one of the greatest experiences of our lives.

If you're staying because you have to take one more semester, I recommend taking an additional class you enjoy. Whether one from your major that you skipped or something entirely new. Try pottery, try acting, try a science class that intrigues you. I'm sorry your plans were changed and I'm sorry you're spending so much more money than you expected, but this time is valuable and you can gain something wonderful from this experience.