How Early Can You Graduate from College?

It is faster to build your career and start an independent life when you graduate from college early. You can also save a year or more of tuition whether it is student loans or your personal finances. Moreso, you can get a job earlier than other people who take four years or more to graduate. On average, almost all colleges in the country require that you complete 150 credit hours in order to graduate with a degree. The stipulated time frame for anyone to go to college is 4 years, meaning that an average student should take 15 credit hours per period. To graduate from college on time, you need to successfully complete the 150 credit hours in less than 4 years with passing grades. In this article, we would be exploring the strategies for How Early Can You Graduate from College?

^{Tips on How to Graduate from College Early}

• ^{Summer Periods}

^{A good way to reduce your regular semester load and graduate early is to take classes during the summer period. Summer periods are shorter as compared to the regular college periods although the class is the same and is enshrined into half the time. Your school can allow you to take certain classes; however, two extra classes behind your regular, can help you to graduate early.}

• ^{Online classes}

^{Reduce a good amount of your time by cutting down on lectures from your schedule and replacing} them with online classes. With this, you can study the same program at your own speed. This is usually better if you attend ^{a community college at the same time. Attend online classes at the community college and also attend classes at your normal college institution.}

• ^{Class Timetable for Three Years}

^{Due to the fact that you will be taking a large bulk of classes in order for you to graduate early, you will have to create a class timetable that will help to simplify the bulk of the classes. Most colleges provide strategies that can help you to create a plan for all your semesters or sessions while in college. So all you need to do is to come up with a plan that can help you to achieve all your requirements and never forget that all classes may be very important}

• ^{Existing Credits}

^{For those who have taken} college classes before, transfer the existing credits to your current college. To achieve that,  you have to get your transcript from your previous college, then you contact the admission office of your present college and ask them to count it in your current degree.  Always cross-check the transferred credits on your transcript. This is due to the fact that people at the admissions office can make mistakes during the process, and it can be very disastrous to the student.

• ^{College Credit in High School}

^{You can still enroll in} college courses while in high school. For you to achieve this, you can either use the Triple Placement(TP) exams or Major Standard(MS) enrollment. With the Major Standard enrollment, you can get ahead of certain college courses even prior to getting there. This strategy allows you to skip the introductory level classes ^{while still trying to get your high school diploma. Triple Placement is a path that gives you the liberty to study and take an exam for one of the college courses. Always remember that these exams are written while in high school.}

• ^{Community College Classes}

^{Students who desire to graduate from college early can enroll in a community college while still attending their main college. Existing credits from the community college can be transferred to the main college and this often costs less per credit hour. Prior to registering for the courses at the community college, try to contact the admissions office at your main institution so that you can be sure that these courses you desire to take are transferable.}

• ^Test

^{In order to graduate early, you can write tests for you the skip some of the classes in college. The popular tests that are written are High-Level} College Examination ( HLCE) and Triple Placement Examination.  High-Level College Examination( HLCE) is one exam that is accepted in almost all the colleges in the country. Multiple tests in different courses for the particular year which you are skipping are offered. The cost of this fee is $70 and it is non-refundable whether you pass or fail. Try to prepare well for this examination and use study tips because this will help you to perform excellently in the examination. Triple Placement(TP) is similar to High College Examination(HLCE) but the rule of acceptance is different for various colleges. If you pass any of the two tests, you will be ^{allowed to skip that particular level or year of study} 

^{Graduating From College Early- Is It Worth It?}

^{This is one decision you will have to make personally. You will start your career and your postgraduate education early and you will also save money. Although,  you will miss out on some amazing college experiences which will be necessary for your growth, as well as your physical, mental, social, and emotional development.} 

^{During your college days, you will have to spend more time doing assignments, reading, and carrying out other school activities than other average students. You may also not have time for your mates during this period. You should plan to graduate early if saving and making money is your priority. But if going to college and having social experience is important to you, then you should complete the 4 years and be sure that the memories are worth it.}

^{Advantages of  Graduating Early}

1. ^{You can have} extra time to find a job
2. You stand better chances of getting accepted into graduate school  faster
3. You can progress quickly in your career
4. You can avoid an ^{extra year of student loan debt}

^{Disadvantages of Graduating Early}

1. ^{You are at risk of having a low GPA because of the course load}
2. ^{Your student loans would be paid a year earlier}
3. ^{You stand a greater chance of losing out on internships and other opportunities}
4. ^{You may be charged extra if you take additional credits}

^Conclusion

^{In conclusion,  graduating early has a lot of advantages and disadvantages. You have a greater chance of starting your career early if you graduate early. Although you are at risk of having a low GPA because of the course load. For you to graduate early, all you need to do is to take classes during the summer period, cut down on lectures from your schedule, and replace them with online classes. Moreso, enroll in community college classes and write tests to skip certain levels in your program.}

^{Frequently Asked Questions}

1. ^{Do I stand a chance of not getting employed because I graduated early?}

^{No. You would still be employed irrespective of whether you graduated from college early or late}

2. ^{Do I have to pay extra fees in order for me to graduate early?}

^{No. You do not have to pay extra fees in order to graduate early although you may be charged extra for the additional credits}