This week I will be starting my fourth year of college. Many of my high school classmates are probably getting ready for their last two semesters and for graduation in May of next year. Me, I am not preparing for graduation and that is okay. Am I mentally ready to graduate college, of course, but I learned early in my college career that graduating on time was not going to happen for me.

My freshman year of college, I pushed myself with a full schedule of 15 credits and I saw myself falling behind is a few classes. The following year, I decided to take only four classes (12 credits) and I saw such an improvement in my grades and I realized that doing well is so much better for my future career rather than rushing through college. Granted in my second year I took off the spring semester but with good reason (hey DCP!) Coming back my "junior" year made me determined to get school done and go back to Florida and work down there again.

As a theater major, there are many requirements and credits to be taken in order to get close to graduation, so unless you take 6 classes a semester, as a theater major, you wouldn't get to graduate on time anyway. Plus all the cores you need to take, the ability to graduate on time is very hard, at least at my school. I am the type of student who believes that if you don't need a certain core towards your major or career, you shouldn't have to take it. I am not going to be using math or science at any point during my career, but I had to take it anyway and that also sets back graduation dates.

When I initially started college, did I expect to graduate in four years? Yes, of course. Am I okay with not graduating in four years? Absolutely. And no one should feel ashamed or embarrassed or stupid if they don't finish college in four years because you are definitely not alone. Do college at your own time and get good grades you will get the same if not better jobs than those who rush the four years. I have learned that while taking your time with college, you enjoy it so much more. So enjoy college.