Four-year college programs unrealistic

College has always been seen as a four-year institution as far as an undergraduate program goes. The idea is that the student graduates high school and goes off to college for four years before walking out into the real world with a career. Is this image really realistic anymore though? The new trend in American colleges is students graduating in five to six years.

With so many more choices out there for majors and the average student changing their major at least two times, or even changing schools before picking one, it seems that a four-year program would have the student doing nothing but studying and taking classes. There wouldn’t be any time for anything else.

Most students don’t have a choice when it comes to working while in school. Financial aid only goes so far and then there are bills for living arrangements and food. These students have to balance part- or full-time jobs while taking classes—which can sometimes be a struggle when work cuts into study time.

Beyond the struggles of balancing work and school, many have families or friends that can take time away from studying. Those who have kids have many things that compete with their time to study and it’s hard to choose, at times, which needs to come first. Students who go home on the weekends to visit family and friends have to factor in time of travel when it comes to studying, plus working out time to see everyone and get things done for class.

Students who balance extracurricular activities have to work in club meetings, practices and events into their schedules. At times, it may not seem like they will conflict with each other; but when these things start to happen once a week, it can take up a lot of time especially if the student is on the board of an organization.

When looking at all of these factors it does seem unrealistic to think everyone can and will graduate in four years. Of course it can be done, but it varies on schedules, the type of person, obstacles that may come up, the major and how much effort is put into graduating.

Even if college takes an extra year or two, that doesn’t mean the student is wasting those years. They are able to have a little more relaxed college experience without overloading on classes, work and everything else that can fill up their day. Students can use that extra year or so to also make new friends and network. They can also add a minor and get more experience for their future careers.

College is a time when a student can get to know his or her self. Real life is stressful enough so there is no need to start creating an ulcer while in college. This does not mean that the student needs to slack off and not get anything done, because of course, college is expensive—but no one should be tense all the time. It’s not good for the mind or body and will do no good if the person has a breakdown or becomes sick from being too stressed.