I’m a senior who’s 21 years old. I will be 22 in July. I today found out I have to retake two college classes. And it sucks because I see on social media where some of my classmates that I graduated with in high school graduated college this spring. They got their bachelors and are moving on. I feel left behind because now I have to wait until the fall. I just hate the thought of being the last person to do something. It’s the worst feeling. I have to wait 7 months. I have never been good in school! I have always struggled. But it seems so easy for others. I hate the feeling.
It could make things slightly more difficult straight out of college, but beyond that? Not really. It took me 8yrs to get through college. The fact that you’re almost done means you’re doing great!
Edit: if anything I should have stopped and listened to the voice in my head telling me that the path I was on wasn’t the one I should have been going down. The voice didn’t start showing up until about 6yrs in to a 4 year degree, and listening to it would have meant it probably would have taken another 3~4yrs to finish, but I would have also actually had a career; one that I would have enjoyed, no less.
I retook 6 classes and finished 2 years late. I’m regarded by my colleagues as a good person to work with and they think I’m good at what I do.
Don’t let school define you, some people excel, others don’t. Also, working for money is completely different than intrinsically motivating yourself to complete assignments.
I had mental health issues that I probably should have dealt with. If you feel like you’re struggling, talk to a counsellor or a therapist, mostly because the college or uni has to listen when they say you’re struggling. Also because they can look without judgement and tell you what you might be doing wrong with motivation and study habits. For me, I needed someone to remind me I mattered even if I didn’t do well. That’s just my 2c worth.
It’s super common.
I spent three years miserable on the mechanical engineering track that was colloquially known as “pre-business” before I ended up with an MIS degree at 23 after a hard pivot and an extra year and change of classes. I’d be hard pressed to say I’m ‘happy’ today, but the degree has afforded me the ability to live quasi-comfortably on my own.
I can guarantee you it’s not a big deal. Don’t beat yourself over it.
I graduated when I was 30. Not a problem! (That was 30 years ago)
No. I swear it doesn’t matter.
I’m in Québec. Here we have 6 years of elementary school, 5 years of high-school, 2 or 3 years of Cegep (college) depending if it’s pre-university or a vocational degree, then 4 years university to get a bachelor’s degree.
I was pulled back from advanced math to regular math back in my last year of high-school because the teacher hated my guts for some reason, and had to redo my advanced math to get into Cegep in computer science. Then, when I graduated after 3 years, my degree wasn’t good enough and I had to go to university. At uni we had 3 semesters a year instead of 2 because it was an engineering degree and because of internships. But I worked in the summer to get some money to pay for my school expenses. Ended up finishing uni in 5 years instead of 4.
Yeah I got set back a couple of years, but it’s okay. And honestly nobody cares if you failed a year in high school. As long as you finish, that’s all that matters.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this at all. Some people don’t even start college until their mid 20s or even later, if they have the opportunity at all. Finishing a few months later than some of you peers is a minute difference in the grand scheme of things and you should try not to stress about it and focus on doing the best you can with the work that’s left. You will look back on this and find it amusing you were concerned about it - enjoy the extra time you have studying before you move on to the working world where you most likely be for the next 40+ years. Good luck and all the best.
In 10 years you won’t even thing about this.
Just like I don’t remember which of my friends got their drivers license a few months ago before me.
It seems like a high deal now because you’re in the middle of it, but as someone’s few decades out, it’s not going to matter at all. Now that you’re an adult you’re going to meet people of all different ages and different places in their lives.
And most of it end up being because of things out of their control:
They have a physical illness or injury that slows down an aspect of their life.
They suddenly have to care for a parent, or sibling or child.
Jobs are suddenly available or not available, you might have to move cities, or across countries.
Everyone is doing things at their own pace. There is no reason to compare your journey against anyone else, because there are so many factors that got you where you are, and so many that will get your where you’re going, comparisons are worthless.
It’s pretty normal. I took 6 years. I was having a good time.
I started college at 16, and completed my first degree at 39. Don’t feel bad, the timeline works differently for different people.
This might feel bad, but honestly you’re still killing it. I graduated at like 30 after grinding out years and years of CC. You have great prospects, just stay focused
No, it makes very very little difference, I graduated late by about two years and took a gap year after that, too (most people getting PhDs take a gap). People getting into the workforce immediately usually don’t have a huge advantage, either, although they go get a little more pay since they work slightly longer in their lifetime.
What’s generally more important is how you position yourself after graduation. Internships if business, lab if grad school, etc. It’s very easy to shoot ahead or fall very behind, though, as life after graduation is pretty much a matter of luck.
People graduate from Bachelor’s wayy older than you. I was meant to go to uni when I was 18 then had a medical emergency, then a combo of surgeries and incarceration stopped me from going for several years after that, and I’m currently just working but may try to go to uni once I have more money. There are plenty of students who start an undergrad degree when they’re your age or older. People who start when they are 18 have various personal emergencies that mean they have to delay their education. You will be entirely fine.
Right as rain.
