Graduation Rate Four Years Versus Six Years - 1454 Words

Graduation Rate: Four Years vs Six Years Undergraduate students are taking longer than the four year program to finish their schooling because of finances, stress, lack of motivation, and lack of being prepared emotionally and academically. Approximately 28 percent of Texas undergraduates graduate with a four year degree on time. Meanwhile, a little over half of all undergraduates graduate in six years instead of four. (â€Å"Graduation Rates By State†) College is an expensive investment for any student. Although college puts many young people into debt, a four year college graduate is said to make 84 percent more than a high school graduate, according to the O.E.C.D. (Porter) Now that college degrees are almost a must for finding a good†¦show more content†¦Working while in college, can lead to inflexibility in class schedules and lack of time for studies, this can result in failing or being forced to drop a class. Failing classes due to other responsibilities is a major reason in why students are graduating in six years instead of four. Another reason college students may work during their time of education, is to fund their idea of the college lifestyle they must have. Donald Asher, a writer and speaker who specializes in higher education said: Students today are working tons of hours at real jobs, trying to juggle classes and activities with these external obligations. The results are lower grades, inflexibility in taking the right classes when they’re offered, isolation and disengagement from the college experience, and longer time to graduation. One thing I’ve noticed is that many of these students are working so hard to finance a lavish college lifestyle. Mr. Donald Asher points out the responsibilities many college students have, and also points out that many students are working so hard at real jobs to be able to afford things like a Starbucks latte every morning. Somehow, modern college students have forgot that college is not about the formals, the parties, the concerts, and even the cute dorm dà ©cor. Many college students work to enjoy this lifestyle and end up having to stay in school longer due to their unrealistic ideas of how college life should be. It