Graduating On Time

Most college students these days don't make graduating on time a high priority, and who can blame them? College is a blast. You have little real responsibility and loads free time. But at some point you'll have to enter the real world, so why not get a head start on your peers and start earning some cash at the ripe age of 22? Financial independence and freedom from grueling exam schedules can be quite the reward.

Several factors cause students to wander off the beaten path. Changing majors can render some of the courses you've previously taken useless by severely altering your core requirements. For example, a student who decides that she doesn't like engineering may choose to pursue a degree in history instead. She'll have to take many more liberal arts courses, and some of the classes in mathematics and science she has already completed may not count toward the new major. As a result, she'll end up graduating with more than the 120 hours needed for her degree. Some students never change their majors, yet still lose their way by remaining ignorant of their class requirements. Often times, details are overlooked pertaining to course sequences and the amount of credits they need in a particular discipline. Liberal arts majors typically have to take two to four classes in a foreign language, while engineering majors have to take sequences in physics and calculus. Another common problem occurs during freshmen year, when new students struggle to adjust to the new workload and freedom that comes with being in college. Basic classes in which students have failed or not earned the necessary grade for credit have to be retaken in place of more advanced classes. Students may find themselves a semester or two behind by the time they're ready for year two.

If you're just now entering college and you hope to graduate on time, it's important that you follow the four-year plan established by your department. It should include an ordered listing of the core and upper level classes you'll have to take from your first semester to your eighth semester. You'll know what prerequisites you'll need and when certain classes are offered. Of course, it's not always reasonable to follow the plan exactly as it's scheduled because some classes are more difficult to get into than others. You might also find yourself struggling in a class and have to drop it. You can make up for lost time by enrolling in summer school where classes tend to be more relaxed and focused. As an undergrad, it's also important that you consult with advisors regularly. They'll keep you abreast of your academic progress and assist you with any difficulties you may experience. It's their duty to help you keep your eyes on the prize so that you reach your ultimate goal when you want to reach it.