Think fast and answer this: How long does it take to graduate college? Chances are you said four years, but times are changed since you were initially taught this idea and more students are extending their undergraduate career longer than four years.
We're told from a young age not to count down the days until we graduate high school as our last day of school ever because you'll have four years of undergrad before you're done. Up until I was a senior in high school, I had no idea that some people take more or less time that that to get a bachelor's degree. I thought college was as systematically set up as high school and that there was only one path to take to get to your final career destination. Little did I know, nothing could have truly planned me for all the forks in the road during my college career, some leading down paths that are a bit lengthy to get to the same destination, but worth the while.
It's impossible to list every reason that could lead to an extra year in college, but it can be said that most reasons tend to be more positive than negative. The initial assumption usually falls in the realm that the student who is a fifth year failed a class (or a few), took a leap year off as a break for fun, or were just pure lazy. Most of the time, even if the situations listed, there isn't a a bad reason to take an extra year. In reality, some of the most intelligent students are taking an extra year. Co-ops can give students crucial opportunities to network, learn, and prepare them for life after graduation-- It's almost like a semester off to take a test run of what it's going to be like being an adult. Some more rigorous majors lead to students taking less credit hours each semester to absorb the material in each individual course better. Other students may work a full-time job while taking classes that take away from their course load to decrease debt after graduation. Some programs even start off now as five-year programs. Undecided students may want to head straight to college and not have a major for a year or two. People change their majors completely and have to take additional courses. The list goes on and on!
Fifth-year students get a different college experience. They have more time to learn more about themselves throughout their years before stepping into the real more, more time to make more friends and connections, and the chance to make sure they experience all that they want to while they're still in college. Fifth years also have more chances to hold leadership positions on campus, and as a junior, I personally look up to fifth-years as being more mature and well-rounded than fourth-year seniors in general. I know a big perk for me is that the OSU vs TTUN game will be a home game my senior year. While all my fellow third-year friends were sad to experience their last home *ichigan game, I was soaking up my second, but not final one.
Everyone takes different paths in this maze called college. Some get straight through faster than expected, some get out right when planned, and others take longer, but we all get to the same place. Stop being scared of an extra year. If you think you may need an extra year, accept it and enjoy your journey. While sometimes it's exhausting and I want to quit, I love my school and I can't think of a better way to spend five years of my life. I'm enjoying the scenic route.
