<p>I've been thinking that if I had an extra semester, I could do so much more. I feel like I'm just studying all the time and forcing myself to take only the classes I need to. If I had an extra semester, I would take some classes for interest and maybe have time to join some clubs and maybe actually have time to practice guitar again. </p>
<p>BUT, I hear a lot of negative talk about how 1. it's a waste of money and 2. grad schools and companies don't like it. </p>
<p>I'll take care of #1 so my question is mainly about #2. Is this really true? Will I look bad on the resume with an extra semester?</p>
<p>The funny thing is, summer school (which sorta does the same thing as an extra semester except to a lesser degree) doesn't look bad. It actually looks good. </p>
<p>Summer school is a vying option for me though. I'm still just a sophomore with 2 good summers still ahead of me. </p>
<p>FYI, I'm not behind. I just want a more flexible lifestyle. It's really as demanding and physically/intellectually exhausting here as the rumors say. (at least for engineers it is)</p>
<p>Well I know #2 is wrong if you use your extra time wisely. My professor actually advised me to stay an extra YEAR because of what I could use that time to accomplish; it will make me a much stronger candidate in the end. </p>
<p>If you really just want the extra time for flexibility, it would probably be a better idea to take things during the summer, though.</p>
<p>i think most engineering students at my school have to stay an extra semester or year to complete the degree requirements...i know i might have to if i stick with engineering and i'm only a freshman</p>
<p>Tough call. Part of me wants to say DO IT! Give yourself a more enjoyable, richer life... you only do the college thing once, and if you don't take that random class you're interested in now, when will you?</p>
<p>On the other hand, you may find yourself at the end of your fourth year itching to leave and cursing yourself for not giving yourself the option of graduating on time. College is awesome, but after a certain point the lifestyle may not quite fit anymore. Life without exams or homework can be nice too, I hear...</p>
<p>I wish I had stayed for an extra semester. Graduation day was the saddest day of my life. </p>
<p>The thing is, college is your last chance to be intellectually curious without any other responsibilities. Afterwards, you've got jobs, bills, and the like, then eventually things like a spouse and kids to worry about. Especially if you've been stuck in engineering classes so far, taking an extra semester or year would allow you take some different things you would otherwise miss out on - like a wine tasting course or the history of rock and roll, or something else that would just be really enjoyable. </p>
<p>The college lifestyle is still a fun one too!</p>
<p>i guess an extra semester would only look bad for your first employer. then after that, they don't even care about your grades or anything about school.</p>