Traditionally, college is an experience to which many people venture off straight after high school. The stereotypical college experience is going to an out of state college, graduating in four years, and then coming back. But as a diverse set of students at Concordia University Chicago, we know that this is not always true.
Students are no longer graduating in four years. In fact, some students find it in their best interest to take some time off before or after they start college. There is nothing wrong with finding what’s right for you, but there happens to be a stigma toward students who choose these options. Third year student at Triton College, Jasmin Ortiz, feels there is not much for young students if they don’t attend college straight after high school. “She’s so messed up in life; she dropped out of college, like what is she even doing.” The question I raise is why? Why are students frowned upon if they decide to take a year off or graduate after their allotted four years?
Chris Herrera, another student attending Triton College, is one excellent example of a student who has taken some time off, yet also remained loyal to his studies. Herrera says that he felt forced into starting college right after high school and eventually took some time off. During his senior year Herrera states, “Well, initially I had no plan to really go to college. The only reason I ended up going was because my senior counselor personally called me into his office and gave me info on a scholarship where I qualified and had to do nothing but sign a form.”
In high school, many of us are taught that going to college right away is the best - and sometimes only - option. What many people do not realize is that attending college without a clear idea of what you want to do can harm your academic career rather than help it. Herrera took it upon himself to drop out of college because he felt that it was not beneficial for him. “I lost motivation and started missing classes and eventually my grades dropped drastically.” After taking some time off, Herrera realized what he truly wanted to do in life. This time he was the one pushing himself to attend college rather than outside forces. Having the motivation to attend college is a key factor for success at most schools, and what many do not know is that it’s okay to take some time to find that motivation for ourselves.
Students at Concordia and other colleges are no longer graduating in the typical four years that our advisors set up for us. There happens to be a negative connotation with the phrase “I’m graduating a semester/year late.” Why is there an obsession to fit into these practices that we call “normal?” Four years of high school seems fitting because students are much younger and have less to worry about. We are now expected to finish college within four years, as if school is the sole focus of our lives. I vouch for those students who have jobs, kids, family troubles, no money or everyday struggles like the majority of us do.
I sat with a few Concordia students to casually talk about school. Junior Danuta Polan worries about graduating on time, “I can’t sign up for all the classes I need at the same time since they’re offered every other year.” Another junior, Melissa Moncada, feels school is taking over her life. “Honestly I feel like I’m gonna fail a class this year. I’m stressed 24/7.” My advice to these students was to take a deep breath and handle what they can. There will be a time for them to graduate if they keep at it; whether that be next spring or next winter, it does not matter as much as their satisfaction with their performance.
Many factors play a role in why students decide to go to college right away, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is also not a bad thing to take some time off before or during your four years of college. Not attending college right away does not have to mean that you will never attend college. Finishing college in 4+ years is also not the worst thing that can happen to a person. There is an imaginary finish line as we walk across the stage at graduation; why does it matter how long it takes us to get there?
