The "fifth-year" experience: The pros and cons of an unconventional college timeline

When discussing college, you typically think of a four-year time frame.

Quite often, a four-year degree doesn't take four years to achieve; it commonly lasts longer. According to a new study done by Complete College America, only 19 percent of students complete their bachelor's degree within four years.

The feeling of not hitting a well-known goal can lead to some self-doubt, which leads to questions such as: "Am I not smart enough?" "Did I do something wrong?" "Why couldn't I graduate on time?"

Then, there are the questions everyone else asks: "Have you graduated yet?" "Why not?" "When will you graduate?" These questions can lead any student feeling less than adequate.

Sometimes students forget that it is OK to change your major. Change it a couple times.

It's OK to change your mind. College is the first step to the career you will have for the rest of your life, so make sure you're happy with the major you choose. In the end, that's what matters.

Alec Green, a fifth-year biology major, said there are benefits to staying in school longer.

"If you're going to school and working your hardest to be as successful as possible," Green said. "Then there isn't a con because you're already doing something most people would give up on."

Yet, students still worry about seeming unintelligent to others or feel that they're wasting their life and money away on school instead of being out in the workforce. This can lead to feeling demoralized and unmotivated to continue to the finish line.

"I think the biggest worry is fear of judgment from others," said Emily Daily, a fifth-year speech pathology major. "Also, wanting to stick to the four-year timeline for their family or due to money reasons."

Sometimes being a fifth-year means you are one of the oldest students in the classroom which can lead to discouragement.

"Being a fifth-year isn't as bad as everyone thinks it is," said Emily Plummer, a fifth-year psychology major. "Being a transfer student I took my time because it caused less stress than trying to rush through it all."

But there are a few cons that fifth-years deal with.

"I worry about having enough money, including financial aid and loans," Rachel Wagner, a fifth-year FACS major, said. "Another con is worrying, 'What if I've changed majors only to discover that after graduation I won't use my degree.'"

Being a fifth-year student can also lead students feeling like they're the one left behind.

"Personally being a fifth-year has been really hard," Alexia Wollard, a fifth-year marketing and sales management major, said. "Most of my friends and people I went to high school with have already graduated."

Students often feel bombarded with the tasks they have in front of them. This distracts students from seeing what the future could hold.

"In the broadcast world, there are huge pros to staying in school longer," said Leonard Horton, a professor in the Media, Journalism, and Film department. "It helps increase your resume reel and increases likelihood of getting a job in the business."

This shows students that being in school longer can actually give you that extra time to do a little more and perfect your skills before entering the workplace.

In the end, the most important thing to remember is the whole point of college is to get a degree. Employers will not judge your expertise off of how long it took you to graduate from college. So, whether you are in school for four years, five years, or even more, there is no rush. Everything will fall together in the end.