I will finally be transferring to a real college soon to continue my degree.I am nervous of the adjustment. I am afraid that I will be older than mo I am currently a Computer Engineering major. I am very excited to finally go to a 4-year university but I have been feeling tremendously sad that it has taken me this long to even transfer. I keep asking myself “what if I ever date or get married and am still in college?” “what will I say to my employer?” “what will I explain to my family?” Though I did have some circumstances that prevented me from finishing on time (my dad died, my grandpa died last semester, I was in a car crash, and I was hospitalized some years ago) I still feel sad that my friends finished before me. Granted, I do have more workforce experience than them and have been working all through college some good jobs and in no debt which is what I consider the only beneficial thing. I feel bad that I will not be graduating on time. My. family is very disappointed in me and treats me like I am the dumbest in the family. They all went to Ivy Leagues and hard schools. One of my aunt in a different country even yelled at me and said “what the heck is taking you so long. You’re still in junior college? Your mates have long graduated and finished in 3 years. You should just change your major to something easy so that you can graduate already”. I know if my father was here he would bee proud of me regardless but since he is not here it’s hard. I want to major in what I am passionate about and not what somebody tells me to do but there is so much pressure on me. I was suppose to graduate last year but will now graduate in 2021 or 2022. I have an opportunity to intern with Nasa is I choose but that would set be behind a semester and I am not sure if to do it or not since I am so behind already but it would be a cool experienceI. I would have been about 26-27 when I finish college and I am excited that I will finally get the degree but feel like I will be embarrassed a bit. Is it normal to take this long? Do employers care? how do I handle the situation?
My son took 14 years to get his degree. He seamlessly segued into the job world with it. We celebrated and are happy about it.
“I am afraid that I will be older than most”
Professors will not care. Other students will not care. You will see students of many ages in university, and some will be older than you. You will most likely be a better student compared to some of the younger students.
“I am currently a Computer Engineering major.”
Great choice. This is not an easy major, so graduating a few years later than some other students is not particularly unusual.
“I am very excited to finally go to a 4-year university”
As you should be. Getting accepted into a very useful major at a 4 year university is a great step.
“I do have more workforce experience”
This will be quite valuable after you graduate with your bachelor’s degree and are applying for jobs.
“and in no debt”
This is also a very good thing.
“I have an opportunity to intern with Nasa”
WOW! This is great. In my opinion this is well worth spending a semester.
To me it sounds like you are doing very well in spite of having to go through some rough times. Employers will be fine with your graduating in your late 20’s, and will care in a very positive way about your work experience. You are doing great. Just keep up the good work!
The simple truth is that nationwide, more college students are like you (studying part time, working full time, taking time off for ehalth and family reasons, etc. etc.) than are finishing in four years straight after high school. You are havong the real college experience, not some fictional one as portrayed in novels and movies.
It sure looks to me like you have been taking advantage of all of the opportunitites. NASA!! Wow! So keep up the good work. You will do great!
Also, it is more than just OK to hang the phone up on aunts like that one. Do that next time.