<p>I'm an econ major, behind on math and want to do foreign exchange. Is it a bad idea to plan on staying 5 years to get my degree? Thoughts/opinions/advice please. Ty.</p>
<p>I don’t think it is a bad idea, I’m pretty sure the average of graduating is not four years, but more. If you feel like you can pay for it, than go for it, good luck</p>
<p>In a good economy, you’d say that financially, you need to consider not only the cost of the fifth year but also the loss of the income you’d make as an employed college graduate that year. In this economy? If you can afford it, go for it. Study abroad is such a great experience.</p>
<p>Someone once said to me, “graduating in 4 years is like leaving a party at 10 o’clock.” At the time, I had enough of school. Now, I completely agree. School sure as hell beats workings. Plus, I think you’ll enjoy your time doing study abroad. </p>
<p>What MidwestMom2Kids_ brought up is the standard argument from an economic stand point. If everyone was “the reasonable man” in classic economic model, it would make sense to graduate as early as possible. However, modern (new age) economic theory takes into account the intangibles, such as happiness. From this standpoint, one could argue that staying in college has greater returns. </p>
<p>After all, I hope you are going to college in hopes that you will lead a happier life. Some people lose sight of this and correlate college with greater income, when the logic is college -> greater income -> happier life. If you can have have a happier life without the greater income, I’d say you still achieved your goal.</p>