Today, and within the next few weeks, most of the people I grew up with, went to high school with, and entered college with will all be graduating. However, I am not. All because I changed my major. As I look at everyone's graduation festivities, pictures, and as I congratulate every person I know, it is hard not to feel down about the fact that I should be with them. However, I began to think about my journey these past four years of college and about getting ready for my victory lap next year. I started to see all of the victories I have had from not graduating on time.

My sophomore year of college I decided to change my major from nursing to education. This was a huge decision and I knew that it would result in an extra year in college. But, nursing was not my calling and it did not make me happy. It is a VICTORY that I found my calling my sophomore year of college.

During my time in nursing, all I did was spend my time hunched over textbooks in the library trying to figure out a million different health problems and a million different prescriptions (PSA: I don't think I ever learned the). After changing my major, I was able to have many different experiences. I was the president of The Odyssey Online at my school, I mentored a fifth grader at a local school, and I joined Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor's Society for Educators. It is a VICTORY that I gained time to do other things.

After changing my major to Education, I made some of my best friends through the program. They are all juniors who I will now graduate with. It is a VICTORY that I get to spend more time with them.

So, for all of you fifth-year (or sixth, seventh, eighth, etc.) students who are struggling this graduation season, take a moment and look at all your victories and blessings you are gaining from going extra. Maybe you failed a class, maybe you took a gap year, maybe you changed your major, or maybe it is just taking you a smidge longer. Many students DO NOT graduate in four years, and that's okay. So take your VICTORY lap and conquer the world.