If you’re a college student right now, chances are you’ve felt pressure at some point to have your life entirely figured out. However, it’s no secret that things don’t always go according to plan in college! Maybe when you were a freshmen, you signed up for classes you thought you’d like before eventually realizing they weren’t for you. Maybe you realized that your skills and passions align with an academic department different from what you envisioned as a starry-eyed high schooler applying to college. Maybe you’re halfway through undergrad but want to change majors altogether, add a minor, try studying abroad, or take a semester off for your mental health. Regardless of your path, rememnber that it’s okay — and pretty common — for academic plans to change in college.
Whether you change majors halfway through school or decide to add on a few extra classes for your minor, there’s a chance your graduation date could be delayed. This can be disheartening and even shocking for some students, especially if you thought your classes were perfecly planned out for you to graduate in four years or less. As scary as it can be, don’t stress out yet. Here’s what to do if you find out you’re not graduating on time.
first, Don’t panic.
Many students enter college end up changing their academic path after a semester or two. In fact, according to research conducted at Ohio State University, as many as 50 to 75% of undergraduate students change their majors at least one time before earning a degree. There are a number of reasons for this; students may choose to take a semester off to pursue volunteer opportunities or job training, and many students are also working part-time or full-time jobs to support themselves financially, which may disrupt their academic trajectory. Although academic advisors and meticulously planning your classes can help solidify your path to graduation, your college years may not be as linear as you anticipated.
Sarah, a junior at Lehigh University, tells Her Campus, “My brother had to work full time while going to college to support himself, so he ended up taking a fifth-year of college to finish up his degree. My family was proud of him for finishing at all, and now he’s employed.” Remember, your pace is the best pace! If you find out you’re not graduating on time, try not to panic — you can still finish college on your own terms.
Get in touch with the financial aid department.
The panic most students have is immediately about student loans and financial aid. Maybe because you’re taking more credits your scholarships or grants will no longer cover the costs. Or maybe your parents, who were previously helping you handle the finances of college, no longer can.
Schedule a virtual appointment or call with the financial aid department to discuss your options. You may be able to apply for additional scholarships or grants to help fund the rest of your college career. Get informed about any student debt and track when you’re supposed to start making payments. Logging onto FAFSA will soon become a regular occurrence. The more information you have about your financial information, the less it will feel like a hurricane when payment requests start rolling in.
find a mentor, advisor, or career counselor to help you move forward.
There are thousands of people in your exact situation. Believe it or not, not everyone came into college with a “passion” and pursued it endlessly and perfectly. Countless students have had to retake classes for a better grade, delay their coursework while waiting for a particular class to open up, and more. College can be overwhelming and busy, and things don’t always go according to plan. The important thing to remember is that if you just found out you aren’t graduating on time, you’re not in this alone. There are dozens of faculty members, advisors, and mentors available to help you along the way. If you’ve already made an appointment with your college career center, it can help to find a professional mentor who can help you figure out next steps.
Mary, a fifth-year student at California State University Long Beach, says, “I was worried about not graduating and getting a well-paying job on time, but I realized that every career path is different. My friends may be done with college but many of them had different majors and didn’t have to work full-time like I did…it’s hard to compare. I made new friends in my final year of college, which I didn’t think would happen. I have a job lined up after college with my business major and I don’t know if that would’ve happened if I didn’t raise my GPA by retaking classes.”
use it as a chance to gain perspective.
Graduating is a huge accomplishment that shows persistence and dedication, no matter how many semesters it takes for you to get your degree. If you’re feeling discouraged about not graduating in the time frame you originally planned for, try to see this moment as an opportunity to gain perspective. Remember that there are countless stories of people dropping out of college and encountering success (even becoming billionaires!). So why not you, too?
If you’re not graduating on time, you’ve probably put in at least a few semesters of college. That means you’ve worked hard and are hustling at a big goal, which isn’t always a linear experience. Be gentle with yourself. Another thing to remember is that getting a degree may not guarantee a million-dollar salary, but it will be a credible indication that you put years’ worth of hard work into pursuing something significant. Your degree isn’t the end-all, be-all in your career, but your ambition and drive to finish college is certainly something to be proud of.
don’t be afraid to ask for academic, personal, & professional support.
Sometimes, not graduating on time is an intentional choice. However, sometimes it’s due to things beyond your control, like getting a bad grade in an important class or dealing with a difficult professor. Perhaps you feel like you have too much on your plate and you’re experiencing burnout, which is usually a combination of severe stress and anxiety. From job searches to a remote internship to a part-time job, you’re being pulled in too many directions to just sit down and focus on your academics. Sit down with your schedule and mindfully plan how you spend your days.
Talk with your advisor. Their job is to help you map out your schedule so you’re using your remaining college time efficiently. Go to office hours if you need extra help from your professor. This one on one time may be intimidating, but if they’re aware of your graduation situation, they may be more accommodating. In addition, many universities have other resources if students need extra help. Math and writing centers, peer tutoring, and other similar programs may be just what you need to ace those exams — and many of those services are still functioning even with campus closures. A lot of self-discipline is required in college. Choosing to wake up early and go to the library is no easy feat, but it will always be worth that academic degree.
You may feel like you’re drowning in college, and if you find out you aren’t graduating on time, it can feel like a blow to your self-esteem. However, there’s hope. Get help with whatever you’re struggling with, and don’t be afraid to seek support — even if it means seeing a therapist to chat through what you’re experiencing and feeling. College is a challenging experience, and you will get through this.