Earlier this year I wrote a piece for my student newspaper on why some of the analytic measures that go into determining the value of an institution of higher education are outdated and unneeded. What I was referring to in the article specifically was the graduation rate formula. My biggest problem with the idea of a graduation rate is that this number varies from website to website, from institution to institution. But in general, I feel that the expectation that students should be graduating within four years of beginning their coursework isn't doing all students justice anymore.
Let me be clear, I graduated in four years from my undergraduate institution just fine and so did many of my peers, classmates, and friends. Other friends of mine though were unable to do so, sometimes for academic or financial reasons and sometimes both. Speaking purely on academics, I feel that what colleges and universities really want out of their students in 2014/2015 is for them to be well-rounded individuals who can contribute to their communities, homes, or workplaces after completing their degree. However, I think that being "well-rounded" is impossible without substantial time spent outside of the classroom participating in clubs, activities, or a collegiate sport. Leadership opportunities may be unavailable in a classroom setting used solely for instruction whereas clubs and other student-run organizations typically offer students the chance to contribute to the group's success as a member or even a leader. But being a leader requires time and this commitment takes away from time that would otherwise be spent solely focusing on academics. Meanwhile, couldn't we argue that time spent in clubs and student-run organizations gives students experiences that, in addition to their classroom experiences, makes them more well-rounded and diversified from other people in the job hunt after graduation?
As an employer, would you be more interested in the student that completed his/her degree in four years, graduating in good academic standing or the student who graduated in five years, same academic standing, but was also the treasurer -- and perhaps later president -- of a student-run organization and also participated in 200+ hours of community service?
Four years is a long time but with all the pressure on grades how are we affording students an opportunity to really grow? I hate that students feel bad about themselves when they don't graduate with the same peers they began college with. They should have no reason to fell bad in my opinion. Four/five years at college goes by quick...believe me. What's most important in the time you spend as a college student is that you take advantage of every opportunity possible for some of these opportunities will no longer be available once you graduate.
I haven't even mentioned the student who may take longer than four years to graduate from school because of their commitments to part/full-time work outside of school. I've been there myself as a grad student. I worked a part-time job in addition to other commitments that essentially amounted to a full-time work schedule, plus 2-3 graduate courses. It's not necessarily easy, or fun for that matter. However, the adversity of work piled on top of class will only make you stronger if you can make it. Believe me, it's a struggle at times. I've gained so much respect for the students who work full-time as an undergraduate and complete their degrees in four, five, or six years for that matter. Working while attending classes is no joke and those that do it are rarely considered in these graduation rates.
I guess my point is, if you're a student who has realized they may not be able to complete their degree in four years, you're far from being a negative statistic. Of course, I'm aiming these words at the students who participate in extracurricular activities outside of class exclusively. The world demands the best and brightest of college grads and simply attending class isn't enough to set aside one graduate from the next anymore. As a student you should look to be as active in extracurricular activities as possible without compromising your academics. The value of clubs and activities cannot be emphasized enough with the opportunities that exist for working in teams, event planning and execution, and leadership. Strong leaders with an education are so powerful in the world today so let's abandon the notion that being unable to graduate within four years is any indication of the type of student someone is.
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