I’m a junior and I recently realized that I could graduate one semester early. I only need four more classes to graduate, which means I could finish everything up next fall and be done with it. (Can’t graduate this spring- I will be 2 credits short of the minimum required lol).
I’ve been feeling kind of unfulfilled at college, just in terms of being bored in class and having low motivation to do schoolwork. My career aspirations recently changed, but it’s too late for me to change my major without tacking on another year (which I do not want to do), so whatever else happens, I’m stuck riding out this major. And if I graduated early, I could start looking for jobs in the winter instead of the spring. So the idea of finishing early does appeal to me.
That said, I’m wondering if just one semester is worth it. I would definitely save money, but I would miss out on the fun things that happen in spring semester of senior year, like senior week and one last semester with my friends.
I’m just curious to know what other people think. If there’s anyone out there who has graduated one semester early, please let me know what your experience was.
I don’t see any reason to stay in undergrad any longer than you need to, especially given the price. I personally think that it would be foolish and short-sighted to stay just to hang out with friends and experience senior week. You need to consider not only the money you’d be saving on tuition, but also factor in how much interest would be accruing on your student loans (if you have any) and several months worth of potential income.
That being said, you mention that your career aspirations have changed. You need to make sure that you aren’t going to regret not switching majors now and adding the extra year. If your current major and career aspiration are related, you’re probably fine (i.e. majoring in biochem but wanting to do research in genetics), but if they’re far apart you should consider staying (i.e. majoring in history and wanting to be an engineer). It is extremely difficult to go back to school for another bachelors degree at a later date.
Lastly, make sure that you double check the classes that you need will be offered when you need to take them. Sometimes classes must be taken sequentially and are only offered in the spring or fall. Also, double and triple check that you have all of the requirements fulfilled. For example, I knew someone who had all his major requirements filled, but didn’t have enough advanced level credits to graduate and had to stay an extra semester.
I wanted to keep my original post brief so people would actually read it, but that meant leaving out a lot of details, including the things you addressed. I don’t have loans; my career path has changed but what I want to do doesn’t necessarily require a degree, so there wouldn’t be a point in tacking on another year, I’m just going to finish this degree because I have put so much into it already; and I’m literally obsessive about scheduling classes lol, so I know for sure that the classes I need will be offered.
The only reason I would stay another semester is to have one last semester with my friends. I know that doesn’t sound like a good reason, but I’m notoriously bad at keeping in touch with people, so it would be nice to have the memories of senior year, etc. with my friends and my sorority sisters. My other worry is that I want to walk at commencement in May with my friends. But my post-college plans will take me outside the state, so it’s possible I won’t be able to come back for the ceremony.
In my heart I’ve kind of decided already to graduate early. I just want to make sure that I won’t regret it. I meet with my advisor soon to schedule next semester, so we’ll see what she has to say.
I graduated a year early; like you, I had no loans, it was just one of those “hm, it’d be nice to save x-thousands of dollars” things. The hardest part was giving up that year with my friends and boyfriend. But I’m glad I did. I got a head start on getting a job, so it wasn’t just a matter of saving tuition, I was also earning money. In a few months, we were all graduated and caught up with each other, and I felt like I was in a much better position than everyone else.
I agree with others. Graduate early and get a job. If you want to go back and visit your friends, take a week off from work and go to Senior week. I’m sure you can find a friends to stay with during the week. Don’t look back, you won’t miss it.
If you have someone willing to pay for another semester, I would try to use that to ensure you getting a job…Can you do an internship or co-op? Can you take more classes in the other major? Can you do research with a professor? Can you take classes of interest? Can you study abroad?