End the “Super Senior” trend

By Koby Heramil |Editor-in-chief|

The idea of graduating in five to six years has become a normality around college campuses, yet this occurrence has not made me hopeful about the future of our rising adults.

I don’t believe college campuses are doing enough to motivate students in graduating early. A viable reason might be that it increases the school’s income by keeping students longer, who in turn have to take out loans to cover the cost.

Some college students call themselves a “super senior,” which refers to someone who attends an educational institution for more than five years.

But the reasons behind the delayed expected graduation are plausible. Students are bombarded with other priorities; which frankly take more precedence over their education.

Students structure their class time and the amount of classes around their lifestyle.

Whether it be avoiding early morning class times or late class times most students want that lovely three day weekend, so they try to schedule Fridays off.

Students should choose a desired major beforehand. If students are unsure about this decision, general education classes can be advantageous for them. It becomes an opportunity to view an introduction about other potential majors.

But try to have a major settled before the third year. Some students change their major too often or wait until it is too late. Stop being indecisive and make up your mind.

This is the time for you to take your education seriously and start thinking about your future.

Another issue students face, especially working students is the fact that they work too much.

I understand you have bills to pay and probably other mouths to feed. But don’t forget the reason why you’re going to school, to have a better life so that you’re not working 12-hour shifts at a crappy job.

To be honest, I am guilty of all these reasons.

I transferred schools and lost some credits. I remember speaking with an advisor, who to my surprise seemed happy to inform me that regardless of lost credits I would graduate within five to six years.

Well I didn’t want to rack up any more loans on top of my debt, so I decided to take a few more classes than required.

I cut back my hours at work to fit in more study time. It was hard but I’m glad I did it. Because by June I will get my diploma and it only took me four years.

I don’t say this to boast, but to encourage those working late nights trying to make ends meet.

I say this to the student who is worried about deciding on a major.

You can make it to graduation and not in five or six years but in four.

I turn the finger to college campuses. I turn the finger to college administrators who are not doing enough for students to take their required classes.

I planned out my courses during the expected availability and time offered. Come registration the last class I needed to take for Spring quarter wasn’t going to be offered.

I asked campus admissions and advising when the class would be offered again and even they didn’t know!

So at that point what was I supposed to do, what were other students like me going to do? And that’s one of the problems I have with college campuses keeping their students longer in school.

I think more efforts should take place to encourage and herd students in the right direction. No more of this ‘five or six year expected time’ talk, get students serious about their education.

Professors who worry too much about their teaching methods, should not let the discussion fall short or give long monologues—students are probably sleeping.

Regardless, this issue needs to go hand in hand with the students and administrators. This may be the only way for us to focus on the education and be concerned with our future in preparing those who are going to be living it.