Graduating Late…What’s the Issue?

Dorianna Valerio

As the academic year begins, students at Post may come to find themselves graduating later than expected. Something like switching your major or falling behind academically can be the reason why students find themselves tacking on an extra semester or so.

E-mails sent to Post Administration asking for valuable information regarding this issue met with a lot of deflection, and finally ended up in the inbox of Post’s Director of Public Relations, Rita Langdon.

“Each student progresses toward graduation at his or her own pace,” said Langdon. While this may be true, some students find themselves progressing towards graduation later than some. Adrianna Alvarez, sophomore journalism major found out last spring that she was going to be graduating late. Looking back she said,” I would have taken more classes. I would have done more of what I wanted.”

According to Langdon, “Students who face academic challenges or who choose to change majors multiple times may find themselves needing an extra semester, or in some cases a fifth year.”

Senior Journalism major, Kathleen Joyce said,” I didn’t graduate on time because I changed my major in my sophomore year.” She added, “I was mad at first that I had to stay another semester, but it’s my fault since I changed my major.”

When Alvarez found out she wasn’t graduating on time, she said she was really upset, because she figured she’d be finished in four years, “Now it doesn’t bother me, I have met a lot of students who will be graduating late” she added.

While students may feel alone in this situation or even saddened by it, they should realize that there are other students who are going through the same situation. Alvarez offered some advice to students who are graduating late, “There are always ways to catch up like summer and winter classes. But failing classes will put you behind, so keep that in mind.”

Langdon said, “Some students take advantage of winter and summer sessions to accelerate their studies and graduate early.”

Joyce offered words of advice as well, “Go to your classes, be on time, and be on top of everything. It’s so important to know what classes you need to take and what you need to do for the classes. If you are set on graduating on time, plan it. Take the extra classes in the winter/summer if you have to.”

Students should find a major they love and stay on top of their studies. However, if graduating late is a risk, or even a possibility, students should have open communication with their academic advisors. “Counselors in the Office of Academic and Career Planning work with individual students to create an academic plan that is specific to their needs and goals.” Langdon said. When the day comes to register for classes, register, don’t take your time, or your expected graduation date could be jeopardized.