Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year. It’s seems as if college is strictly meant to be 4 year journey. But what happens when it’s not?

At the end of my freshman year, I found myself in a difficult place. I wasn’t happy with my major. I dreaded going to every class, didn’t enjoy any of the material I was learning and was not excited about my future in my chosen field. The thought of switching majors crossed my mind, but I felt as if I was stuck where I was and convinced myself to stick with it for another semester.

This “just get through it” mentality didn’t last long, and midway through sophomore year, I took the leap and switched majors. I figured out that if I could take five classes and three labs a semester, along with summer classes, I could still graduate in four years. Looking back, I don’t know why this four-year timeline was SO important to me.

While other students may have been able to manage this heavy course load, I could not. My grades dropped, and with that, I had to drop some classes. I was devastated when I found out that I wouldn’t be graduated with my friends in four years. I was worried about an extra year of tuition. I felt like I had failed college when it was really just the beginning.

There are many reasons why you may not be graduating in the typical four year timeline that many college students do. Perhaps you changed majors like I did, maybe you had to take a semester off, or maybe you just can’t handle the load of courses required to graduate in eight semesters.

Whatever your reason may be, know that it is perfectly okay. It’s your life, and it’s your future that will be effected. In the long run, an extra year or two of college will not hurt you, but benefit you, and get you to where you want to be.

Don’t fear taking the path less travels. Embrace the changes and realize the benefits of having a longer college experience. That’s just another year to grow, make connections, meet new people, and learn more about yourself.

Life doesn't always go as planned. That's just how life is, so go with it, slow down, and make it great.