College

[Aaron]

I am just wondering how many people here with college degrees graduated on time?  I am working on my Bachelors right now and I am a third year junior but probably won't graduate for at least 2 more years.  I did my first two years at a community college, got my Associates,  and then transferred to a University so I have a lot of hours that don't count towards my degree.  Also,  I work full time on midnights at a factory to pay for college (and my fishing habit, lol) so I am limited to about 15 hours a semester.

I was just curious how long it took others to obtain their degrees.

I am working on a Bachelor of Sciences in Occupational Safety & Health at Murray State University.

[RiskKid.]

Don't worry about it. I understand it is very common to take five years. My son is at Western KY and is in the same situation as you. He is a four year senior but it's going to take him another year.  I beleive the KY system requires 128 credits to graduate which is very difficut to do in four years. Especially with a job. Stick with it and you'll be fine.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

;D ;D ;D ;D

Who does it in 4????  I think out of all my good high school friends (20 or so), I can think of 2 that graduated in 4 years.  Then I also had one that got his undergrad and masters in 3 and 1/2.  My degree is set up that the "goal" is to finish in 4 and 1/2.  That took me 5 with taking summer classes 3 of those years.  Now I am adding another major that should take me a semester ..... it's going to take me a year because of some prerequisite B.S.

[Root beer]

My brother actually graduated from ETSU in 4 years. He had a weekend and summer job.  Some of his friends however are in their 5th year however. Some graduates in 4 some graduate in 5. Guess it depends on the major.

I hope to get out in 4. Good luck getting your degree.

[Live.2.Fish]

I'm in college right now, a junior.  I started at a Community college and took the first two years there.  All but one of my classes transfered (and I knew going in that paticular class would not transfer) to my state university.  I have taken 15-16 hrs per semester while working 30 hrs per week.  This semester i'm taking 18hrs  :-?   With taking 15hrs over this coming summer, and 15 in the fall of '07, I should be done with my Bachelors in 3 1/2 years.  A month into the semester, its starting to get complicated, it seems that every class i'm in we have to do group projects.  I hate group projects.  Its impossible to everyone to meet together to get anything done.

[frogtog]

I had to go get my son out after five years. He dam near broke me!

Said he was making a career there. >

[Bluecraw]

Just DON'T GIVE UP!  Even if it takes you ten years.  Here's a math problem....

better education = better job

better job = more money

more money = more fishing gear

more fishing gear = bigger bass boat

bigger bass boat = no more money.....

...wait a minute, did I do that right????

[justfishin]

First of all, I would say you are pretty young so, it doesn't matter how long it takes. Don't worry about anyone else, just stay focused and keep on getting on. I know it doesn't seem like there is any light at the end of the tunnel now but, it will come. The feeling of pride and accomplishment you will feel is well worth the work. I didn't go back and finish until I was 45, divorced, and paying a mortgage on one income. Just put one foot in front of the other and do it. Good luck, study hard, stay focused, and keep that GPA up. Good luck.

[deadeye32.]

It took me every bit of 5 years and one class during summer school (which was awful) to get my education degree in phys ed and health.  I also played baseball which was very time consuming.  If I can give you any advice, dont be in a rush to graduate, it is the best time of your life, and working everyday in the real world sucks compared to 3-5 classes a day and beer galore.

[logger]

Took me 5 years. I am in education so it was almost impossible to finish in 4 years. That's wonderful that you are working and paying off college as you go. Paying back student loans is a big expense.

[Zel]

Took me 6 years to get my Bachelors, as I did it all at night and weekends, working 50 hours a week and raising a family.  Took me two years at night for a double major Masters Degree.

[roadwarrior]

My son graduates this May from Kenyon College in Ohio with degrees in Molecular Biology and Anthropology (pre-med). The MCAT examine is the following week. Then four years of medical school, two years of internship and possibly another two years to specialize. My son will probably be thirty-something before he even starts working.

Is that a big deal? I think so, but I think it's time well invested.

BTW,

While he is finishing his undergraduate work he has become the emergency medical technician (EMT) for the local fire department, teaches kick boxing and crav maga. He has spent a summer in Guatemala, Uzbeckistan, last summer in Thialand and a year with Doctors Without Borders in Kenya, Africa. In addition to English, my son is literate in Spanish and Russian and functional in French, Swahili and a native Thia dialect.

So, I guess five years in college doesn't sound too bad to me.

[Water Dog]

Listen up Boys!

Life is an education; you are never going to get done. ;D Sorry bout that. ;D

Many jobs require continuing education and certification after you get hired. My recommendation would be to get as broad of a background in your field as you can before you have too many more responsibilities. Double majors aren't bad as well as advanced degrees, but there may be a better way to get an advanced degree, let the employer pay for it.

When looking for a job, career, look into the employer's policy on allowable time off and financing perks for continuing education.

Technology is changing so fast many employer's will pick up the tab for time away from the job as well as books, tuition, etc. just to keep well trained employees. That can be real important to you. You can gain on the job training as well as total time of employment while going to school. Say; for example, that you are working for a State agency as a Biologist with a 4-year undergraduate degree. If you are employed near a University you may very well be able to go back to school part time to get your Masters or pH all the while getting benefits and time-in-grade! When you are young you don't think much about retirement age but you may be able to retire with 30 years at fifty rather than sixty. Your retirement income is based on your top four years where I work, check yours out. You can start out at a low salary, get your advanced education practically free and finish at your highest salary your last four years.

You will then have time and experience available to double dip for another 15 or so years, maybe even as a pro fisherman.

You can tell that I learn most things the hard way! ;D

[Pond Hopper]

Somehow I did it in 4 years although I was the first in my family to go to college(no guidance or help) and I also went to 3 different schools.  But most of my friends took more than 4 years and some are going on 7 (not doctors or lawyers).  THe trick is to enjoy it and go at whatever pace you can.  I got lucky that I didnt have to study so I normally had 17-18 hours and I took a summer or winter term every year.  The benefit was senior year I only had 13 credits 1st semester and 12 my last semester, which meant more partying.  Just get it done, dont stop and start, because all too often people dont start back up.  That being said most people dont have 139 hours to get their undergrad degree, but I am only 11 hours away from being able to sit for the CPA so thats a plus.  

[RiskKid.]

but I am only 11 hours away from being able to sit for the CPA so thats a plus.

Hey Pond Hopper.....the first question on the CPA exam will be "What is 2+2?" Don't be fooled, it is a trick question. Any good accountant will tell you the correct answer is "What do you want it to be!"  ;D

Seriously though.....good luck finishing up and on the exam.

[jb_from_texas]

these guys are right.  Enjoy the time.  I swear i would go back in a heart beat.  so much fun with no real responsibility.

it took me 5.5 years with the last summer taking 18 hrs of foreign language, all in 11 weeks (mini-intesive they call it).

I would start with 15hrs per but usually dropped to 12.  but i was busy running cross country and track.

things you'll say years from now...

i wish i was back in college

my kids grew up before i knew it (although mine are only 8 and 4 i still feel this way)

[Munkin]

Part time I have been working on my degree for 10 years. Now I only have one class to go but they rarely offer it so I am fighting with the school. No matter how long it takes just remember that a study said that someone with a college degree will make over a millon dollars more than someone with just a high school education.

Allen

[Sam]

I do academic recruiting for LSU and the average time to complete college is four and a half to five years, depending on your major.

For instance, LSU's architect school can take up to 6 years to complete the requirements for graduation while the business school can be accomplished in four years if you take 18 hours a semester a few times.

And if you change your major you can extend your college life by two years.

I graduated from LSU in four years but that was a long time ago. Today, standards are higher; the students better prepared; and the course work more challenging.

In fact, we tell the students that college will be the best five or six years of their lives. And it is.  

Going away to college teaches students how to take care of themselves and to be responsible.  The ones who cannot adapt or cannot be away from mommy and daddy will fail and return home to attend a local school while they live at home.

My son took five years to get his degree between the University of Alabama and Campbell University. We told him he had to graduate as the Bank of Dad was closing.

So don't worry how long it will take you to complete your course work.  Just graduate and pay a lot of F.I.C.A.  And I mean a lot of F.I.C.A. Double your contribution to F.I.C.A.

And from one Babby Boomer to you young guys, thanks for getting educated and paying a lot in taxes.

[Bluecraw]

...but I am only 11 hours away from being able to sit for the CPA so thats a plus.  

Pond Hopper,

....so, If I'm bass fishing with my buddy and we "talk" about work, does that mean I can write-off my boat, rod & reels, and tackle on my taxes??? :-?....I don't know, sounds like a business expense to me.... :

[Pond Hopper]

Being able to sit for the CPA and doing it are 2 different stories.  I may do it and I may not but it is alot of work.  And the answer like riskkid said is YES.  If you are in sales or self employed it is hilarious the things that people write off.  Now if you use that boat for entertainment purposes, talk to your accountant because I am not one, and not sure I want to be one.  

[Sam]

Always check with your CPA before you do anything that will cause the IRS to investigate.

A bass fishing trip with a client or a business associate a few times a year is OK.  But I don't think you can write off anything other than the out-of-pocket expenses without causing a red flag to the IRS.

As long as you do everything in an honest and proper manner you can have a good time and sleep really good at night.

My wife works for the Department of the Treasury and since I own my own business we are audited each year.  We get letters from time to time regarding our quarterly tax payments and we discuss each with our CPA.

You don't want to fool around with the IRS.  You will not win that battle.

[Fatman1267MM]

I graduated in 4 1/2 years from Northwest Missouri State University with a BS double major in Agricultural Business and Horticulture.  I had some friends who took 7 years and they are not called Doctor!!!!

[Sam]

Hey Fatman,

One of my buddies' brother took 7 years to graduate from LSU.

At this time he is a vice president of a major corporation and is making a lot of money.

They family just cannot understand why it took him 7 years to graduate.

I can.  It is a lot more fun at LSU as a student then it is in the real world.