By Malachi Shockley–
As another semester comes to an end, many students will be graduating. I am one of the lucky ones that has finally made their way through the strenuous process of getting their degree.
Unlike most students, however, I have managed to do it in only three and a half years. At first, this did not seem like such a grand opportunity, but the more I bring it up to other students and facility their eyes widen and the questions begin to pour. The thing is I never thought it would be that big of an accomplishment or something that was so hard to do.
I keep passing signs on campus that say “Does your advisor rock?” and the simple answer to that was no, not at all. Over my course of attending this university I have found out that if you want to accomplish anything involving graduating, the chances of finding genuine help is slim.
I’ve had several appointments, with several different advisors. I could not tell you any of their names or even how much they helped me. The most useful thing that an advisor ever did for me was print off the sheet that tells you all of the classes that you need to graduate for your degree. This is where your own skills have to come in handy.
Only 25 percent of students graduate within their first four years of attending U of L and I can imagine that is where the university wants to keep this statistic. Of course they would want you to take more classes and spend more money while you are here.
The thing that you have to understand is that when it comes to making your schedule, this is completely up to you. Nobody will hold your hand to sign up for classes, and if they do they will encourage you to take on a lighter load or hold some things off until later.
Do not do it. Take the time to curate your schedule. I would sit for hours writing down what classes would count for what credit alongside researching professor’s reviews in order to make my class load the most reasonable way possible.
If you want to graduate within a sensible amount of time you have to buckle down. I came into college with three credits from high school. My entire career at the university I have been working a full time job, alongside a part time job and even running a small clothing business on the side. It is possible to balance all of things in your life.
I’m not saying that everyone can do it in just three and a half years, but a lot more than 25 percent could be graduating within the first four. The key is to be able to buckle down when you have to, be ready to work, be ready to be independent, know what you want and most importantly be ready to be done.
