Yes. We have all heard the cliché phrase that college is “the best four years of our life.” So why would some people voluntarily shorten this experience? Well, I am here to share the ups and downs of graduating early.
Pros:
1. Saves Money
College is expensive! You can save yourself the cost of a whole semester by finishing early. Not only do you save a ton of money tuition-wise, but you can also lessen your student loan debt by working instead.
2. Head Start on Jobs
The anxiety of unemployment is a real concern for most Seniors in college. But, by graduating earlier than others, you can focus solely on your job search. Or, if you’re lucky enough to secure a job by the Spring semester, you will be ahead of your peers!
3. More Opportunities
By “more opportunities,” I am talking about more opportunities to do whatever you want. After a normal four-year student graduates college, they are rushed to start working. If you graduate early, there’s no more schoolwork! This means extra time to relax, to travel the world, etc.
Cons:
1. Missing Out on the 4-Year College Experience
FOMO, or the “fear of missing out,” is real — especially for early graduates. While you are working or doing something else, all your friends will continue to make the most of their Senior year. If you’re unwilling to compromise the last few months of college, you may want to reconsider graduating early.
2. Not Ready for the “Real World”
I think it’s safe to say that college students are simply never ready for the “real world.” Upon graduating, we all deal with similar struggles of being an actual adult. When you graduate early, you are thrown into this unfamiliar lifestyle even sooner…
3. Losing Access to College Resources
Once you graduate college, you lose a majority of the resources that your university offers. If you’re in clubs, you will no longer be able to attend meetings. No more access to the fitness centers, the library, and other resources that your university offers for free.
Overall, there are definitely many pros and cons to consider. I chose to graduate early primarily because of my desire to travel the world. Even though college truly was an unforgettable learning experience, I now want to spend the extra time expanding my horizons even further. Of course, I will miss out on fun experiences with friends in the last semester of school, but I personally feel that the benefits outweigh the negatives.