To Graduate Early or to Stay the Full 4 Years in College, that is the Question

In the college campuses across the nation, more and more people are graduating a year early. The question I have been repeatedly asked is, “Why”? One of my best friends is planning on graduating in only 3 years and I posed the question to him.
The reasons I have been told by my friend and others for graduating a year early all stem from a deep hatred of some sort for the universities in which they attend. Other reasons come from wanting to enter the work force or graduate school one year early. However I still ask, what is the rush? Why graduate one year early.�¯�¿�½

I personally strongly favor all college students graduate in four years. The full four years is necessary to take in all that college offers. That full four years allows you to study abroad for a semester or join a fraternity, sorority or club and really devote your time to making new friends and having the time of your life.�¯�¿�½

College is one of those once in a lifetime experiences. Once it is over you can’t go back to it. You can’t reverse time. It is important to stay the full 4 years so that you have no regrets about leaving college. For some students, college life revolves around solely academics and that is a darn shame. For every type or kind of person there is a group or team or club that you can join to make your college experience more enjoyable. In graduate school or work there is always time to crack down on academics. Many students mistake graduate school as an extension of college and it really isn’t. In graduate school you pretty much have academics and you don’t have that opportunity to join a club, team, job, or organization.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

Another reason I have heard is financial reasons. This is my end of the argument: If you need money get a job or get financial aid from the university. The only legitimate reason I can understand is if you need to get a job right out of college to support your family.
The full four years of college is also necessary to get internships and jobs that will help you gain experience towards your desired career once you finish college. Your university is very helpful in providing internship and job opportunities for you.
In addition, graduating in 3 years puts so much extra pressure on you. You have to take classes over the summer or overload your course load. You will have to take 5-6 courses instead of the usually 3 or 4 and that is a huge difference. In addition, for some semester you should only take 3 or 4 courses like during the semester you are studying hard to take the Law School Admissions Test or other graduate school tests.�¯�¿�½

Finally, you should take that full 4 years to spend time with your friends. Once college is over, your relationships and friendships with the guys and girls you have grown older with during college will never be the same again. You will most likely loose touch with most of your friends as you move onto graduate school and get a job. That is similar to my high school friends who no longer stay in touch because we have moved onto colleges in different states. Sure we see each other once during the vacations and summers, but the friendship just isn’t the same.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

Those full four years you should look back on with fond memories. So let the real world wait another year. Take my advice and word for it, stay in school that extra year.