When I was in high school, I knew exactly what I wanted to do after graduation...or at least I thought I did. I was going to attend West Chester University, major in communications, join the school's television news station, and rush a sorority (and I did all of these things). Everything was going just as I planned. I met with my advisor to check my academic progress, and I was on track to graduate in 2020. But then everything flipped upside down.
After my first semester of college, I decided to transfer to another school. (I have a whole article explaining why!) Even when I did transfer to my local community college, I still had my dream of being a news anchor on Good Morning America (hey, a girl can dream, right?) And then one day, it just hit me. Being a news anchor on GMA was a dream, and I didn't think it was a realistic one. After multiple mental breakdowns and crying about what I want to do with my life, I decided I was going to change my major.
Being the control freak that I am, I needed to plan every little thing. So, I changed my major to Liberal Arts/Undecided. I was planning on not declaring a major until I transfer out of community college to a four-year university. That was a bad decision on my part. Changing my major to Undecided halfway through the semester is not the best idea, and I would not recommend it. Since I was accepted into Bucks County Community College as a communications major, I was taking all communications classes. Once I switched to undecided, none of those communications classes counted toward the major; not even as elective credits. Ugh. I then switched my major to Elementary Education, and I've always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was little. This is what I'm sticking to. If I change my major ever again (and I really hope I don't) I give you permission to slap me.
Okay, I'm kidding.
After that, I checked my graduation progress. I kept telling myself that I needed to graduate by 2020. And now that I was at community college, I needed to graduate from there in 2018 just like everyone else in my class. This is when I started to freak out. Since I changed majors so many times, I saw that I am way behind on credits. I felt like I wasted two whole semesters on communications classes. I thought it was the literal end of the world, but it really is not.
I feel like college students are so pressured into graduating in four years. I understand that four years is the typical amount of time that it takes to earn a Bachelor's degree. But for some people, it will take more than that. And that's okay.
I've come to realize that it is totally okay to not graduate in four years. All that matters is that you get that piece of paper. It could take four years, it could take five, it may even take six. Whatever the case may be, there's no need to rush your education. I hate the stigma associated with graduating college "late". After all, your graduation date does not determine your success rate.
It is perfectly acceptable to obtain a college degree at your own pace. I'm not behind; I'm going at my own pace. As long as you get to the finish line, no one will care how long it took you to get there. In the end, the tassel will be worth the hassle.
