Super Seniors: Graduating on Your Own Time
February 9, 2010 | Jen Smith
So maybe you had to switch your major or maybe you had to take a break from school for awhile, but the bottom line is you have to stay in school for an extra year. You may be thinking of ripping your hair out at the thought of another year of lectures. Luckily, plenty of people are in the same boat as you. We are the “super seniors,” and we will graduate on our own time.
Putting off graduation has its pros and cons. First of all, spending another year at a university will cost you, and there is just no way around that. However, not earning your degree will cost you even more, so at this point you kind of have to bite the bullet. You can make the most of the fact you have to spend more money by really bulking up your major or minor. Take on a foreign language while you can, since it will look great on your resume. Take electives that go towards your minor or major to boost your GPA. Take a Web design class. Since the world is going digital, you are going to want to have that edge anyway.
Basically, since you are paying more anyway, make sure you get the most bang for your buck. The extra year may be expensive, but you can utilize the time to really prep yourself for the job market. Your fifth year of college will be the perfect time to earn yourself another internship. The more experience you have under your belt, the better.
Still, staying on another year might mean you have to watch your friends graduate. This could be demoralizing, like you feel you are lagging behind while all your friends go off to experience the wonders of the world. You’re wrong. Your friends are likely just going to another school, an entry level job or worse, moving back in with their parents. You are on your own path, and friends come and go along the way. Besides, it is easier than ever to keep in touch with friends with the wonders of the Internet so your college buddies will always be just a Facebook page away. Plus, maybe some will have to earn more education as well or choose to go to your school’s graduate program. In any case, when you are feeling down, just remember your friends are probably floundering in the job market or tougher grad schools, and they miss you and their old college town.
Five years of one college town or scene can be utterly monotonous, and without your familiar friends, it can be even worse. Combat boredom by taking the time to travel. Many schools have organizations dedicated to volunteer work all over the country and beyond. You can go on a weekend trip to another city, or a spring break trip to another country, all while earning a valuable experience and making new friends. Not to mention, all this volunteer work will look great on your resume.
If you haven’t noticed by now, being a “super senior” is hard work. But now is the time to gather all your powers of organization and determination, so when you do graduate you are ready for anything the world throws at you.
