One thing that’s been on my mind this month is that I earned my MBA in Finance two years ago.
It feels like a lifetime ago, and at the same time like it was just yesterday.
That also reminded me that I completed my undergraduate degrees more than four years ago. For some reason people often don’t believe that, and a reader even recently asked me for proof.
I know—I have a baby face. Looking a decade younger than I am is a separate topic altogether.
If you’re curious about any of the questions below, keep reading:
- How to graduate college in 3 years
- How to finish college in 2 years
- How to get a bachelor’s degree in 2 years
- Can you finish college in 2 years?
- How to graduate college in 2 years
Related: 21 Ways You Can Learn How To Save Money In College
The main reason I immersed myself in school was to stay busy after my father passed away during my freshman year of college.
I took four days off from my full-time job after his death, but I quickly returned to work to keep my mind off what had happened. I then combined work and school with long hours for years. That routine was how I coped.
I didn’t mean for this post to feel somber, but I’m simply sharing what happened.
There were also practical reasons I pushed through college quickly:
- You might save money. Many colleges charge a flat tuition rate for a range of credit hours—often 13 to 18 credits. That means whether you take 13 or 18 credits, you often pay the same tuition. Since the average student takes about 12 to 13 credits per semester, it can feel like a lot of potential tuition is left unused.
- You can move on faster. I was eager to finish school and use my time for other goals. Graduating sooner opened the door to new opportunities earlier.
- You may earn more sooner. While not guaranteed, many students hope their degree will lead to higher pay. After my dad died I realized I needed to be financially independent. Finishing early was part of my plan to improve my income prospects sooner.
I know some will argue that college should be enjoyed—and that’s true. I missed out on many traditional college experiences because I worked full-time while studying. I joined one on-campus club late in my college career just to have something to list on my resume.
I didn’t form lifelong college friendships, which might sound sad, but I’m happy with the friends I’ve kept since high school.
I never lived in a dorm or college apartment; I rented a tiny, less-than-400-square-foot space, so the classic college party experience wasn’t part of my journey either.
That said, I’m content with who I am today because of my past choices and experiences.
Many people ask, “Can you finish a degree in two years?” Here’s what I did to graduate in 2.5 years:
I took college classes in high school.
During my senior year of high school, most of my classes earned college credit. I took AP courses and classes through nearby private universities while staying at my high school. I left high school with around 14 credit hours (it could have been 18—I can’t remember exactly), which effectively covered a semester of college.
These credits were inexpensive—roughly $100 per credit hour compared to the usual $500–$1,000 per credit hour at a university.
Senior year was manageable even with those college-level courses. I had early release each day, getting out three hours early so I could work, which left me time to balance work and school while accumulating credits.
I took a full course load.
In college, I consistently took heavy course loads. While one semester was 15 credit hours, many semesters I signed up for 21 to 24 credit hours.
Because my college charged a flat rate for a range of credits, taking the maximum credits each semester saved money overall. Sometimes I paid an additional fee to exceed 18 credits, but that fee was still cheaper than adding extra semesters to my plan.
I took summer classes.
I regret not taking more summer courses, but I did enroll in one summer session where I completed 12 credit hours. I had to get special permission from the Dean, but it was allowed and the classes were manageable.
To save money I took those summer credits at a community college—about $1,500 total for 12 credits, which was a great deal.
I confirmed all credits would transfer.
Whenever I earned credits outside my degree-granting institution—whether in high school or community college—I made certain they would transfer to my university.
I’ve heard too many stories of students wasting time and money on classes that didn’t transfer. I knew that would set me back, so I verified transferability in advance.
Hearing about someone with 66 non-transferable credits is staggering, so checking transfer policies saved me from that kind of setback.
I took night classes.
Night classes sometimes get a bad rap, but they’re the same as daytime classes—just scheduled later in the day. Taking evening courses allowed me to work full-time during the day and attend classes at night, which was crucial to finishing early.
Were you trying to graduate quickly or take your time? Did you earn credits outside your primary institution, and are you interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in two years?