Most students graduate college with a Bachelor's degree within a four year program. Not me! I've decided to go with the same degree in an excelled two year's program. There's many stages towards this exciting progress toward my future, but currently I've been thinking a lot towards it. With all of the different emotions comes a reality—one I sometimes question if I am actually ready for. Here is the roller coaster that are my four stages of graduating college early, with an adolescent mindset.
1. Excitement
When I heard I was a second semester sophomore, in technical terms of credits, I was bouncing off the walls and ceiling in excitement. I have just graduated high school last June, and I'm flying ahead of most of my peers. This means I get to enter my career sooner and with a fresh face to the world. I am more than ready!
2. Exhaustion
I didn't get this far ahead in school because I took only a few courses per term. I take the most courses my university will allow me to take. And now that I'm working two full time jobs to pay it off, I question if it's worth my five hours of sleep a night or not. When it's 3 in the morning, and I am rushing to finish my discussion board, I question if dropping out is an option, over an extra hour of sleep.
3. Fear
I'm not afraid of my future, I'm afraid of what will happen in the future. I do want to succeed, but the unknown is inevitable and being so young while being thrown into the real world is a scary thing. I can't even buy myself a bottle of alcohol if I wanted to, yet I'm getting ready to graduate college, picking a career for myself and building my life up.
4. Determination
I only turned 19 years old just two weeks ago, so pretty much I am still 18 in my eyes. However, I am very proud of where I have grown throughout my life. I am determined to better myself, and education has always been a top priority for me. So if it means I'm going to have a few sleepless nights, so be it. My goals are worth it.
Although those four stages of my mind go like wildfire, I always know every experience will be worth it, and getting my Bachelor's degree will benefit me in the long run.