If you want to graduate earlier, there are several options out there. This is useful to save some money on tuition and enter the workforce faster. In this guide, you’ll find all the possible ways to finish college quicker.
Start in High School
If you are still in school, you can already start earning credits for college. To do so, you’ll need to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. When you pass the final exams, you will acquire college credit.
Another option is to try dual-enrollment courses. This way, you are fulfilling the courses as students of a community college as part of your high school curriculum. It is usually very affordable and allows getting the needed credits.
Surely, getting more responsibilities will take more time and effort, but as a result, learners will be able to save tuition costs and graduate quicker.
Choose Fast Track Program
In some colleges, learners can enroll in accelerated degree courses. By taking those, you can complete your BA in 3 years and your Associate’s degree in 1 year, which is a good result.
One might worry that they won’t be able to keep up with the accelerated curriculum. But there is always help out there. For instance, a professional writepaper can assist with any type of college assignment you might struggle with. Such experts have years of experience in the field and know exactly how to craft a unique and well-researched paper quickly. Academic platforms assist with writing, editing, and proofreading all types of assignments. They can polish your essay to excellent or do a term paper for you entirely.
This could be a huge help for those who combine education with work and have little time. It is useful for those who want to advance their writing skills as well. You get to collaborate with experts and learn from them, which is an incredible opportunity.
With such resources on your side, you can complete an accelerated program successfully. Here are some things students need to know about such courses:
- Often they are structured so that you won’t have much freedom in choosing specific courses;
- Some of them come with additional support and guidance from college staff;
- Some of the programs require a specific GPA minimum;
- In some cases, colleges with accelerated degrees have specific requirements of how much students can work and spend on living.
It might not be a top choice for everyone, but it is a valid option. And if you are interested in an Associate’s degree, completing it in a year is a huge opportunity.
Pass Classes by Taking Tests
Another opportunity to cut down on college time is to test out some required classes. Usually, this practice applies to general education courses.
For instance, if you have amazing grades in a specific subject or work experience, you can pass the test to prove your knowledge instead of taking the whole course. Ask whether the institution you are looking into offers placement tests. And you will get the credit for it.
If you had AP in high school, take an AP test. Also, students can go for CLEP credits. CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program. It is a test that allows getting credit for knowledge you already have. But check whether your college is accepting those before taking an exam.
As for subjects, CLEP offers:
- History and Social Sciences;
- Science;
- Mathematics;
- Composition and Literature;
- Business;
- Languages.
Each exam costs around $85.
Do Coursework Faster
The rule is simple – the quicker you’ll complete the work, the faster you’ll be able to graduate. However, doing that is not that simple. This requires decent effort and time to accomplish.
First of all, choose your major as soon as you are ready. Although there is nothing unusual or wrong with changing it later, this might slow down the process. So if you are sure about the major you want to acquire, select it and stick to it. This way, you’ll avoid wasting time and money on courses you do not need.
Secondly, consider taking summer classes. If you work all year round, you’ll be able to do much faster. In summer, students can take 1 or 2 required courses and successfully complete them. It is also possible sometimes to go to a community college nearby for summer programs to save some money as tuition there is usually significantly cheaper. But ask if your college accepts those credits beforehand.
Thirdly, students can take a maximum load for each term. This option is available in the majority of institutions. However, it is better to consult with an adviser and work on a plan together. Be realistic about your time and energy and what you can manage. If you are working, this might not be a suitable option. But if you can devote all your time and effort to a bigger course overload, this could be a valid choice.
Take Blended or Online Courses
Research online or blended classes in your institution and per-credit cost. There are several reasons why it might be a more efficient way, namely:
- Such programs are more flexible;
- You save time and money on getting to classes and back;
- Some of them might be more affordable than traditional ones;
- They are more self-paced;
- They are easier to combine with working or other responsibilities.
Of course, this will not cover some practical required programs or majors. But, for instance, a graphic design major can be completely done online. And with the help of professional admission essay writing services and homework help platforms, it is quite easy.
Turn Your Experience into Credit
This one doesn’t apply to all learners but can be helpful for some. It is possible to turn experience into credit, namely if you have the following:
- Previous work experience;
- Military experience;
- Work abroad experience;
- Freelance experience;
- Internships.
Always ask how a particular college accepts credits and what can be done to get them faster.
In Summary
With this guide, you can complete your education faster and graduate successfully. Depending on your situation and experiences, you can apply one or all tactics mentioned.