Dear You, who didn’t graduate "on time,”

Let me start by telling you that you've come along way. I can assure you that you are now a step closer to that Bachelor's degree than when you first started; so not being ready to graduate and walk up to that stage to receive your diploma within your first four years of college is completely okay. We’re not all meant to walk on the same path; we've learned that we all walk on different shoes and overcome different obstacles along the way. Everyone’s timing is different and perfect in a weird way—this is something you will be able to understand once you’ve realize that you were never ready to do the things you’ll find yourself doing to begin with.

So what if you still have one or two more semesters to go until you finally graduate? Thinking that you must graduate within the “four year” time scale is, for a lack of a better word, stupid. Stupid because there's absolutely nothing that has ever told you that in order to be and feel successful, you must finish your milestone in those years. At this point in life, we must all understand that everyone deals with things and life situations differently; so it's okay if you find yourself in need of one, two or even three breaks away from school in order to get that degree out of the way.

Though the process takes the best out of you, there shouldn't be any reason for you to feel embarrassed, especially when according to the “4-Year-Myth," a report by "Complete College America," at most only 19 percent of full-time students enrolled in public universities earn their degrees on time.

Newly updated career curriculum, additional and unexpected requirements, or financial aid issues are some of the things that will come along, pulling you a step further from that cap and gown that you've worked so hard for. In fact, whether you’re currently enrolled in a private university or a public college, schools will always find one way or another to delay your process to graduate-- I know so because I’ve experienced it myself.

Along the lines of “you must submit your parents’ 1950’s IRS form,” or “the school is only offering one section for the entire 500,000 students we have,” or my favorite one- “there’s no professors willing to teach the evening section this year, you must wait until next semester,” are some of the things that students like me hear way too often so you are not alone on this one.

And though it is probably ideal to graduate within those 4 years, there is nothing that says that you will not mature or become wiser with your decisions. It is also during that time, that you'll find yourself exploring more into your interests, which can eventually lead you to find a different and even better career path. You’re doing the best you can and what must be done, so even if you feel like graduation is years-- generations --away, hang on because you got this!

Besides, employers out there usually require 20+ years of experience in your field of career, so you might as well use that extra year to intern your life away. Good luck and keep swimming!

And as the honorable Nelson Mandela once said,