6 Ways To Make Sure You Graduate On Time

If you don’t want to go the way of Tommy Boy, you might want to graduate on time. Classes can be hard, and college life is difficult to navigate. But with a little planning, and these six tips, you’ll be sure to graduate on time.
1. Start Smart
This probably won’t help you if you’re in your last semester and your grades are coming up short, but if you start college out on the right foot, you won’t have to worry. Make a plan, adjust along the way, and stick to it. It’s pretty much as simple as that.
2. Stamp Out Senioritis
Everyone gets senioritis. But mentally checking out in your final days or months can hurt you. While it’s important to prepare for the next step, make sure you’ve covered your bases and finished the task at hand. Sure, you’re on borrowed time — but you can still make the most of it. Show up to class hungover instead of skipping it entirely. Sure, you might puke in the hallway. But you’ll graduate and have a great story.
3. Stay For The Summer
If you’ve got to be done in four years, don’t think of your summers as vacation. Use your time to take a class or two. Balance your summer school load with some time poolside, and before the leaves turn you’ll be further along than the kids that chose to think of summer as a vacation.
4. Talk To Someone
Go to your university’s career center. Find a professor that’s willing to be your mentor. Academic advisors are employed by your school to help you create and implement a plan for your education. Utilize resources available to you, and listen to those that are wise.
5. Stay The Course
No pressure, but don’t change your major. Or at least don’t change it 1,000 times. If you’re not sure what you want to study, get a job after high school. Audit classes. Get to know yourself and your talents. Trial and error is a huge part of life, but if you want to graduate on time — get a plan.
6. Reconceptualize Your Notion Of "On Time"
What’s the rush? Unless you’ve got a drop-dead life timeline, there’s really no such thing as graduating "on time." If you’re honest with yourself and others about your path, linear time becomes less important than your ultimate goal. Do what you need to do. Don’t waste time. OK, maybe waste a little time. If you want a degree, you’ll get it. Live life on your own schedule.