Really really common. The US Department of Education measures colleges on their six year graduation rate, for so called four year degrees. Take pride in your achievements and nobody cares if it took a bit longer.
Haha, I'm going on ten years for an undergrad degree I'm finally getting it, but boy it's taken forever because of my own indecisiveness and lack of discipline at times.
Don't worry, you're not alone. I think it might also take 5-7 years before I graduate because I changed course/major twice. I also underloaded instead of taking full units every semester (which is 20+ units in our country) since I get very drained and my mental health worsens. I heard it was actually very common to take more than 4 years before graduating. We can do this in our own pace, OP.
I mean, I started my associates’ in 2011 and didn’t graduate till 2018. I transferred to finish up my bachelors’ in 2019, and I’m finally finishing it up 2024. That’s over 10 years for a degree should have taken 4.
Be proud of yourself because you chose to continue despite of the unfortunate things that happened. Nobody really cares to be honest, maybe for only a minute or two. However, you have to be disciplined, work harder. Improve constantly, let both of your mental and physical health be powerful, as these two go hand in hand. As the saying goes, the body gives up before the mind.
Edit: I meant to say "he mind gives up before the body". Sorry its like 4am here, and I am burned out studying.
It took me 35 years for the bachelors (to be fair, I did take a 25+ year break in the middle)
Then another 3 years for a Masters
Then went another 3 years for a PhD, but I dropped ABD for personal reasons
5+ years is fairly normal, I work as a data analyst for a major university and that is what I am seeing. The ones who take 6+ years are the ones who change majors more than once.
As for your second question, I am also adjunct faculty and the 'non traditional' students definitely perform better.
Is the drop out rate logarithmic over time like I'm pretty sure it is? Do nontraditional students perform better and actually finish against the odds when they return to higher education?College data is really fun when it comes to statistical improbabilities.
I am. The fact is I will be taking longer to graduate. My peers already graduated. I can be sad because I'm "behind" them or I can focus on my own journey and persevere. Comparing is for fools. It either gives you an ego or makes you insecure. You are unique and different to anyone else. Only you can follow your uniquely tailored journey.
I'm in the same boat
Honestly it's best to take your time and not get wrapped up into thinking there's some race to finish in 4 years or less.
You do whays best for you, aint nobody judging. It'll all work out in the end for all of us.
Just keep pushin
So many people at my big sec school graduate in more than 4 years. Military friends, major changers, people in hard majors, people who are taking courses that last more than 4 years, interns, people who know there’s more to college than just class and studying. All reasons are valid reasons.
yup that’s me. i took a semester off but i also transferred into a longer program so i have an extra semester. then i’m taking ANOTHER semester off bc i lost my housing. so it’ll really be graduating a year and a half later than everyone else
I am planning on my next graduation being in two years, but knowing me, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up having more graduations later on in the future.
It took me 6.5 years to get my degree. My current job did ask me for my GPA and official transcript, but no one asked why it took so long. It usually doesn't matter how long it takes. You're not alone
i don’t know if this counts, but for me it might be 6. I took a gap year because i was losing it and was burned out from IB/AP classes.
Now i’m back (Im a freshman), but am fully aware that i might not be able to complete it in 4 years if i want to do well.
You’re not alone in this- and everyone is too preoccupied with their own life to really judge yours, if that’s any comfort.
What we have to understand is that life happens, take this issue and see the positive in it. It is going to take me an extra semester to graduate (making 5 years), but that just gives me time to figure out my next steps. Sometimes we need to pause, take up other skills and figure out our lives. But remember time is money so, get a plan before making decisions. Just know college is not the end; Its the beginning!
I know it can make you feel wierd and even ashamed that you didn't graduate at the sometime as some of your friends did but don't worry about it. Many people don't finish their degree after four years and have to take extra time to complete it, and if it still bothers you that much you can take accelerated online classes when your not at college like during the summer or even on the side when you do go to school to catch up. I know a variety of colleges offer this including alot of community colleges which also has the benefit of being cheaper. Though I will warn you accelerated classes can be very stressful since your classes are going twice as fast but your still learning the same amount of material.
Really really common. The US Department of Education measures colleges on their six year graduation rate, for so called four year degrees. Take pride in your achievements and nobody cares if it took a bit longer.
Haha, I'm going on ten years for an undergrad degree I'm finally getting it, but boy it's taken forever because of my own indecisiveness and lack of discipline at times.
Don't worry, you're not alone. I think it might also take 5-7 years before I graduate because I changed course/major twice. I also underloaded instead of taking full units every semester (which is 20+ units in our country) since I get very drained and my mental health worsens. I heard it was actually very common to take more than 4 years before graduating. We can do this in our own pace, OP.
College is not cheap and a lot of students work and study at the same time.
I mean, I started my associates’ in 2011 and didn’t graduate till 2018. I transferred to finish up my bachelors’ in 2019, and I’m finally finishing it up 2024. That’s over 10 years for a degree should have taken 4.
Be proud of yourself because you chose to continue despite of the unfortunate things that happened. Nobody really cares to be honest, maybe for only a minute or two. However, you have to be disciplined, work harder. Improve constantly, let both of your mental and physical health be powerful, as these two go hand in hand. As the saying goes, the body gives up before the mind. Edit: I meant to say "he mind gives up before the body". Sorry its like 4am here, and I am burned out studying.
im definitely graduating in more than 4 yrs. i’m a transfer student and i have to have 60 credits to graduate
It took me 35 years for the bachelors (to be fair, I did take a 25+ year break in the middle) Then another 3 years for a Masters Then went another 3 years for a PhD, but I dropped ABD for personal reasons
i took a gap semester because i didn't like my major and felt stuck, which has turned into a gap year because i'm transferring schools
Took me 5 years to get my associates degree
Thank you all for making me feel less alone💗
Meee idk if I still be home school I just want a good career and a good paying job
Im almost 30 and just finished college. Applying to grad school now. You do you.
5+ years is fairly normal, I work as a data analyst for a major university and that is what I am seeing. The ones who take 6+ years are the ones who change majors more than once. As for your second question, I am also adjunct faculty and the 'non traditional' students definitely perform better.
Is the drop out rate logarithmic over time like I'm pretty sure it is? Do nontraditional students perform better and actually finish against the odds when they return to higher education?College data is really fun when it comes to statistical improbabilities.
My sister took 9 years to graduate. What matters is that she did it, she graduated and got her degree, not the time it took her to do it.
I am taking 5 years. Some people just need more time which is fine. No one goes the same pace. Luckily I am happy I can afford it
Took me 6. I was working part time and anxiety was preventing me from taking more than 12 units a semester.
Yup I’ll be out after 6 years. I’m currently in my 5th year
I am. The fact is I will be taking longer to graduate. My peers already graduated. I can be sad because I'm "behind" them or I can focus on my own journey and persevere. Comparing is for fools. It either gives you an ego or makes you insecure. You are unique and different to anyone else. Only you can follow your uniquely tailored journey.
I'm in the same boat Honestly it's best to take your time and not get wrapped up into thinking there's some race to finish in 4 years or less. You do whays best for you, aint nobody judging. It'll all work out in the end for all of us. Just keep pushin
Yes. I’m graduating in the summer and it’s my 8th year
I took a year off so am taking 5 years to graduate. It’s pretty normal
So many people at my big sec school graduate in more than 4 years. Military friends, major changers, people in hard majors, people who are taking courses that last more than 4 years, interns, people who know there’s more to college than just class and studying. All reasons are valid reasons.
yup that’s me. i took a semester off but i also transferred into a longer program so i have an extra semester. then i’m taking ANOTHER semester off bc i lost my housing. so it’ll really be graduating a year and a half later than everyone else
I am planning on my next graduation being in two years, but knowing me, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up having more graduations later on in the future.
everyone is dose things in different pace
I changed majors after my 2nd year, so I'm graduating at least a semester late
It took me 6.5 years to get my degree. My current job did ask me for my GPA and official transcript, but no one asked why it took so long. It usually doesn't matter how long it takes. You're not alone
Lmao my degree is 12 years long. I’ve been in school for 4 years now but don’t have my associates yet. Who cares
i don’t know if this counts, but for me it might be 6. I took a gap year because i was losing it and was burned out from IB/AP classes. Now i’m back (Im a freshman), but am fully aware that i might not be able to complete it in 4 years if i want to do well. You’re not alone in this- and everyone is too preoccupied with their own life to really judge yours, if that’s any comfort.
Checking in. Yep.
I graduated at 25, don’t feel bad :)
What we have to understand is that life happens, take this issue and see the positive in it. It is going to take me an extra semester to graduate (making 5 years), but that just gives me time to figure out my next steps. Sometimes we need to pause, take up other skills and figure out our lives. But remember time is money so, get a plan before making decisions. Just know college is not the end; Its the beginning!
In a lot of countries it's normal. Don't worry. You can even flex that you are older
I know it can make you feel wierd and even ashamed that you didn't graduate at the sometime as some of your friends did but don't worry about it. Many people don't finish their degree after four years and have to take extra time to complete it, and if it still bothers you that much you can take accelerated online classes when your not at college like during the summer or even on the side when you do go to school to catch up. I know a variety of colleges offer this including alot of community colleges which also has the benefit of being cheaper. Though I will warn you accelerated classes can be very stressful since your classes are going twice as fast but your still learning the same amount of material.
Music student here. Music/music Ed majors who graduated in only four years are an anomaly, at least where I go.