How to Graduate College On Time: 4 Key Steps
- Laura Amigone
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 18
After working with more than 150 college students, I've seen a variety of college career trajectories—many of which resulted in a 5th college year or 9th semester.
There is no shame in a slightly longer college journey than the typical four years. Completing a degree can take longer for a multitude of reasons that are hard to summarize because each student has a unique journey.
Most students and parents, though, do not start college thinking about a 5th year, 9th semester, or taking recovery classes over the summer.
From my experience, Freshman Year plays a major role and has a lot to do with a college journey extending past the intended 4 years. In this post, we'll explore four key precautions to help you stay on track and avoid adding an extra semester (or year) of college and support your goal of how to graduate college on time.
Withdraw from a Class as a Last Resort
During your first or second semester, withdrawing from a class or two is not always the best idea. It can delay your graduation if not handled carefully.
Why Withdrawing Can Set You Back
Withdrawing from a class means you won't earn college credit for it.
You might not be able to move forward in your major if a particular class is not completed.
If you frequently withdraw from classes, your academic timeline could be pushed back.
What to Do Instead of Withdrawing
If a student is very confident they might fail a class mid-semester, the best thing to do is to reach out to your professor before withdrawing.
Ask them what options are available to help you recover your grades so you can pass the class before no credit is given.
Often, withdrawing from a class should be your last resort option. Getting into a pattern of withdrawing from classes to avoid a low grade will affect your timeline.
The First TWO Weeks of the Semester Are Critical
The Add/Drop period is the most important time for students to really consider each of their classes and whether they are headed into the right level of challenge.
How to Set Yourself Up for Success
Attend each class and carefully review the syllabus.
Meet your professor and introduce yourself early.
Make a friend in the class so you have someone to discuss assignments with.
Assess all of the work in all your classes side by side. This will allow the student to see any potential pitfalls or classes that they should drop.
💡Pro Tip: If you have a hunch after the first class and feel that the course is too difficult or not a good fit, DO NOT WAIT to either drop or seek out the support you will need to make it through.
Don't Wait to Decide on Your Major
Many students struggle with choosing a major because they are unsure whether to fully commit to studying and because they aren't sure what career direction this means they are committing to.
How to Pick the Right Major Sooner
Do not wait for a class to inspire you or for a lightbulb to go on! The only way to know what major is a good fit is to:
Actively research all the classes in a potential major, reading course descriptions for the advanced classes especially.
Read about current professors, department resources, and career opportunities in the major
Talk to upperclassmen or advisors who have experience in your areas of interest.
✅ Once you feel excited about your major, you can strategically plan out your classes and make sure you are on track for graduation in 4 years.
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Having trouble choosing a major? Check out my blog post on exploring your interest and trusting your intuition
Planning Ahead: How to Graduate College on Time
Sometimes when you sign up for the next semester, classes are either already full or are only offered during a particular semester. This leads to students having to wait until the next semester to take that class. This may stall progress towards completing your degree.
How to Avoid Registration Issues
At the start of your semester, put a reminder in your calendar to meet with your advisor and map out your required classes so you are ready to register when registration opens!
Try to find out which classes either fill up easily or are only offered during a certain semester.
You can ask your professor, your advisor, or the department of your major (if it’s a course in your major that is needed) for this information.
If there is a waiting list for the class, get on it asap, and email the professor alerting them to this being a required class for you to complete your major.
Consider summer or winter courses to stay on track and earn those needed college credits.
This can get you back on track academically, but make sure you get approval for the summer class that your university will accept the credit BEFORE you pay for it.
Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead to Stay on Track
Thinking about your long-term goal to graduate in 4 years takes planning ahead EACH semester. Prevent dropping classes during the semester or getting overwhelmed and missing out on the credits.
Share Your Experience!
Do you have any stories that involve dropping a class or wanting to drop one? What was your experience like? Drop a comment below! I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice for students.
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