11 answers
Judit
Student
Mineola, New York
3
Questions
Asked
889 views
Is It Okay to Graduate College Late?
Hi, initially I wanted to get my Associates degree from a Community College then transfer as fast as possible. Lately, I have been dealing with a lot of things and considering to take it easy and maybe get my Associates a semester or year later. Yet, I feel quite scared of letting myself go into that path since I was also encouraged to get my degree as fast as I can.
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11 answers
Frank Holloman
Audit Director
38
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Frank’s Answer
Graduating early or late is only in comparison to others. Each person is on their individual learning path. The most important thing is to stay on your path. Continue to set goals for yourself to ensure you keep making progress. Those goals could be the degree(s) itself and/or the career that you want to attain with the degree. It is often when you start skipping semesters that it becomes harder to start back and finish, so refer to your goals often to keep yourself motivated.
Thank you so much for spending the time to respond! :-)
Judit
Anne O'Hara, LCSW
Outpatient Therapist
13
Answers
Radford, Virginia
Updated
Anne’s Answer
Absolutely. A lot of colleges are trying to move away from "freshman" "sophomore" "junior" "senior" labels and transitioning to 1st, 2nd, 3rd year etc. In the professional world, no one is going to care if you finished in 3 years or 6 years. Your degree is all that matters. Having an associates sets you up for even more knowledge of your field, so you would look even more hireable! I transferred from a school to another and had to take a third year after being told I only needed two. I picked up two minors to fill my schedule! Don't worry too much about taking another year, enjoy your time!
Look up minors you have most of the credits for already
Anne recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for the reassurance! :-)
Judit
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
On average, it takes five years to get a bachelors degree.
During my years at a community college, I took advantage of the extra third year to load up on classes and requirements for my future major at the university.
In the long term the extra courses and maturity I gained, helped me achieve great results at the bachelors level.
During my years at a community college, I took advantage of the extra third year to load up on classes and requirements for my future major at the university.
In the long term the extra courses and maturity I gained, helped me achieve great results at the bachelors level.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Judit
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Take care of yourself. Pushing yourself too hard to deal with life and school at the same time can be disastrous. I know people who graduated college at 22, 26, 30. I know people who went back to college to finish their degrees later. I finished my degree at 34 because I had a career before really working on a degree.
Your life is yours and yours alone. Lead it in the best way that you can to have a healthy, happy life.
Good luck!
Your life is yours and yours alone. Lead it in the best way that you can to have a healthy, happy life.
Good luck!
Ka Ng
Product Manager
29
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ka’s Answer
There is no stigma for taking extra semesters to graduate from college. When you get out into the workforce, no one will care. As long as you have your diploma, it will get you in the door. Your employer will only care that you do your job, completing your work well.
I don't know who told you to finish as fast as you can. This is your life, no their's, and you should decide for yourself.
I don't know who told you to finish as fast as you can. This is your life, no their's, and you should decide for yourself.
James Hanzel
Corrections and Security
236
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
James’s Answer
Graduating late is fine. As long as you are determined to accomplish the goal eventually, it is more than okay to take some time away for yourself.
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
342
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Judit,
Life throws curve balls at everyone all of the time. It causes us to evaluate what is important to us, reset and gain balance with all of our responsibilities - work, school, family, friends, etc. Prioritizing will help one to multi-task and accomplish goals.
As far as your education, it will be best to take a few classes per semester as opposed to dealing with a full load. With a few classes taken, you will still continue your education while dealing with personal challenges at the moment. Remember, one should always keep moving forward even it is in small steps rather than large leaps. It doesn't matter how long it takes to cross the finish line. What matters is that you crossed the finish line and accomplished your goal(s).
Best wishes for your education and to overcome the personal challenges!
Life throws curve balls at everyone all of the time. It causes us to evaluate what is important to us, reset and gain balance with all of our responsibilities - work, school, family, friends, etc. Prioritizing will help one to multi-task and accomplish goals.
As far as your education, it will be best to take a few classes per semester as opposed to dealing with a full load. With a few classes taken, you will still continue your education while dealing with personal challenges at the moment. Remember, one should always keep moving forward even it is in small steps rather than large leaps. It doesn't matter how long it takes to cross the finish line. What matters is that you crossed the finish line and accomplished your goal(s).
Best wishes for your education and to overcome the personal challenges!
Ellie Davis
Target
25
Answers
Loveland, Colorado
Updated
Ellie’s Answer
Graduating late is perfectly fine! Stuff happens, and everyone learns at different paces. If you're not there yet, don't be ashamed! Take your time to figure it out :)
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Judit,
Is Graduating Late from College Acceptable?
Absolutely, it's entirely acceptable to graduate late from college, and there are numerous reasons why taking additional time to finish your degree could be a smart move. Here are some key factors to consider:
1. Personal Situations: Life is full of surprises, and unforeseen events or personal hurdles can make sticking to a rigid academic schedule challenging. Prioritizing your mental health and well-being is crucial, and if extending your studies by a semester or year reduces stress and allows you to concentrate on other life aspects, then it's a legitimate option.
2. Educational Achievement: Speeding through your studies just to meet a deadline might not lead to optimal academic outcomes. Allowing yourself the time to thoroughly grasp the subject matter, participate in extracurricular activities, or undertake internships can enrich your overall educational journey and pave the way for future success.
3. Professional Aspirations: Despite societal expectations to graduate within a set timeframe, what's most important is gaining the knowledge and skills needed for your chosen career. Employers often prioritize relevant experience and a solid understanding of the industry over the precise graduation date.
4. Financial Factors: Postponing graduation could result in financial consequences, such as increased tuition fees or delayed entry into the job market. However, it's crucial to balance these considerations against the advantages of taking extra time to complete your degree when making an informed decision.
In the end, the choice to graduate late from college should be based on what's best for you, both personally and academically. It's crucial to engage with academic advisors, mentors, and support networks to ensure your decision aligns with your goals and circumstances and is well-informed.
Top 3 Credible Sources Consulted:
The Chronicle of Higher Education: This resource offers insights into higher education trends and issues, including discussions on graduation rates, student success, and academic schedules.
Inside Higher Ed: A trusted publication that covers news and developments in higher education, providing viewpoints on student experiences, academic policies, and career preparedness.
American Council on Education (ACE): As a prominent organization advocating for higher education, ACE's resources provide advice on academic paths, student support services, and educational outcomes.
These resources were used to gather information on the significance of considering personal circumstances when deciding on graduation schedules and the various factors influencing this decision.
STAY BLESSED!
James Constantine Frangos.
Is Graduating Late from College Acceptable?
Absolutely, it's entirely acceptable to graduate late from college, and there are numerous reasons why taking additional time to finish your degree could be a smart move. Here are some key factors to consider:
1. Personal Situations: Life is full of surprises, and unforeseen events or personal hurdles can make sticking to a rigid academic schedule challenging. Prioritizing your mental health and well-being is crucial, and if extending your studies by a semester or year reduces stress and allows you to concentrate on other life aspects, then it's a legitimate option.
2. Educational Achievement: Speeding through your studies just to meet a deadline might not lead to optimal academic outcomes. Allowing yourself the time to thoroughly grasp the subject matter, participate in extracurricular activities, or undertake internships can enrich your overall educational journey and pave the way for future success.
3. Professional Aspirations: Despite societal expectations to graduate within a set timeframe, what's most important is gaining the knowledge and skills needed for your chosen career. Employers often prioritize relevant experience and a solid understanding of the industry over the precise graduation date.
4. Financial Factors: Postponing graduation could result in financial consequences, such as increased tuition fees or delayed entry into the job market. However, it's crucial to balance these considerations against the advantages of taking extra time to complete your degree when making an informed decision.
In the end, the choice to graduate late from college should be based on what's best for you, both personally and academically. It's crucial to engage with academic advisors, mentors, and support networks to ensure your decision aligns with your goals and circumstances and is well-informed.
Top 3 Credible Sources Consulted:
The Chronicle of Higher Education: This resource offers insights into higher education trends and issues, including discussions on graduation rates, student success, and academic schedules.
Inside Higher Ed: A trusted publication that covers news and developments in higher education, providing viewpoints on student experiences, academic policies, and career preparedness.
American Council on Education (ACE): As a prominent organization advocating for higher education, ACE's resources provide advice on academic paths, student support services, and educational outcomes.
These resources were used to gather information on the significance of considering personal circumstances when deciding on graduation schedules and the various factors influencing this decision.
STAY BLESSED!
James Constantine Frangos.
Derek Sidebottom
Chief Human Resource Officer
9
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Derek’s Answer
I'd also suggest that you're best to adopt a lifelong learning mindset. Core formal education. Then time in the workforce. Then more formal education perhaps. Then career laddering etc. etc. Through this lens, whether you graduate a year earlier or later becomes moot. You're putting together a mosaic of learning experiences over time.
Amy Goegan
Lead Interactive Designer
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amy’s Answer
I did not do my undergrad right after high school. I traveled for a year and then worked full-time to figure out what I really wanted to do. Everything worked out just fine. Many people who went right out of high school ended up switching their majors and career paths altogether in their second year. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. It may seem like you are behind, but you aren't. A degree is a degree regardless of what year you get it.