Summertime Thoughts

For most of you reading this you've just finished up another semester or maybe even your first; congratulations! What an accomplishment to finish out what you started back in January! Myself, I've finally graduated. I received some due "congratulations" but I've also received a comment or two along the lines of wow (!) you've finally graduated. I really hated hearing that from some of my former college friends. It always translates, "You didn't finish in time. I started after and finished before you did." For those who are on track to finish in four years and did well this semester I again congratulate you. Others of you, this post is for you!

First, on one hand - for the sake of getting on with your life - you should strive to finish in four years. On the other, it's okay to have a few setbacks and finish in more than four years. In fact, the average undergraduate takes five to six years to finish (54% as this article highlights). The mere fact that you're deciding to continue is an accomplishment in and of itself. Just remember that it's okay to not finish in four years, you are normal for and you'll be okay after failing and not finishing "on time."

Second, you should make a decision whether to continue or not. Times are changing and for some careers and/or small business ventures you just don't need an undergraduate degree but, rather, a strong work ethic. However, other careers do require a degree and you should thoroughly investigate both possibilities. In other words, don't keep going to college because everyone over 40 is telling you that you need to. Go because you need to or at the very least, want to.

Last, maybe you failed a class, or two . . . or three. Stop sulking and start planning. Pick yourself up, start planning and writing down what you need to change before next semester, and know that this too shall pass. Admit you have a problem and read everything you possibly can to educate yourself on how you can change. "No one plans to fail, they simply fail to plan!"

I'm here on the other side of the finish line - after a full seven years of college - to let you know that you're going to be okay. You'll make it through this set back and you will succeed if you keep working on being better at whatever you do. I'm a living testament: I have a great job, a great car, a roof over my head, and food on the table all because I didn't let my past failures define my future actions.

Review:

1. Congratulations on finishing the semester. Now enjoy your summer break!
2. Strive to finish "on time" but realize that life will be okay if you don't.
3. Ask yourself if college is where you need to be. 
• Does what you want to do in life require a degree?
4. Start planning what you're going to do based on the answer to the above question
5. You will succeed as long as you keep on working hard. Life is a marathon, not a sprint.