I will be attending Columbus State University, but money has become an issue and as a result I can’t attend during the fall semester. My family and I should recover around the spring semester. Is there a way make up credits that I missed in the Fall? How bad will this effect me?
Make sure you contact the school and have everything done according to their rules. If financial aid is involved, don’t take community college courses this semester if you are going to CSU. It has an impact on aid. Keep all records and communications. If you need graduate in the fall rather than the spring, four years from now, that is fine.
There are others who frequent the Financial Aid thread who can give you much more information on how financial aid plays out. You might want to provide more details and ask additional questions. Are you sure you will be able to go in the spring? What is the plan for the next 4 years? Do you need to instead do two years at community college and then go to a 4-yr school?
If you really want to graduate with your class, it is still possible. Go to summer school, take an extra class each semester, do a mini-session if they are offered in Jan or May.
But it doesn’t really make that much difference if you graduate in May or Dec. Lots of kids take more than 4 years.
In college, class designation is based on hours completed. You can accumulate more credits that may allow you to graduate early or earn fewer that may mean you could graduate later. Personally, students mark years by years of attendance irrespective of number of credit hours. Ultimate!y, you will be notified that you have enough overall credits n your major and credits for requirements.
Students meet others in class who could be in various years of study. While some students grow, most change slow!y and less dramatically in college then they do in high school. Hence year in college is not marked by size.
College entrance is a transition that may cause stress, but year in s book shouldn’t be big as you slip into the crowd.
You can ask your college to defer you for one year. You can get a job and save money for college.
Starting colllege in the fall will give you a larger community of brand new students to mingle with. Orientation, club fairs, lots of social events to attend and meet others. Especially if you are shy or introverted, it could be hard to show up spring semester and try to find your tribe of people you enjoy hanging out with.
deferral rules vary widely from school to school. Contact yours directly and ask if they will hold the spot for financial reasons. If not, you will have to reapply - which at most schools means waiting until Fall again . Housing could be tough to pause but, if you are living at home, that won’t be an issue. The bigger challenge may be that lots of relationships are established in spring semester - when everyone is new to campus. You may find it hard to break into a group of friends or find a club to join. Other than that, it is workable.
In the mean-time give some thought to how transient your financial difficulties are. Will everything really be good in Nov/Dec. If not, maybe a CC is a better option.
Good luck