Anonymous
04/24/2023 18:03
Subject: Re:Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the impact the COVID had on this cohort in terms of on-campus experience and how virtual classes and lack of social community bonding experiences could have affected a person's emotional bond to the school and the community.[i]
This is exactly the reason my child is graduating early. Freshman year was truly awful, setting the tone for a very mediocre experience and a desire to just get through undergrad as quickly as possible (and AP credit made it possible). Based on conversations, I don't think this experience was unusual for the HS class of 2020 - some are graduating early but others came home, transferred or took a gap year.
+1
Anonymous
04/24/2023 17:14
Subject: Re:Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the impact the COVID had on this cohort in terms of on-campus experience and how virtual classes and lack of social community bonding experiences could have affected a person's emotional bond to the school and the community.[i]
This is exactly the reason my child is graduating early. Freshman year was truly awful, setting the tone for a very mediocre experience and a desire to just get through undergrad as quickly as possible (and AP credit made it possible). Based on conversations, I don't think this experience was unusual for the HS class of 2020 - some are graduating early but others came home, transferred or took a gap year.
This is exactly the reason my child is graduating early. Freshman year was truly awful, setting the tone for a very mediocre experience and a desire to just get through undergrad as quickly as possible (and AP credit made it possible). Based on conversations, I don't think this experience was unusual for the HS class of 2020 - some are graduating early but others came home, transferred or took a gap year.
Anonymous
04/24/2023 13:43
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the impact the COVID had on this cohort in terms of on-campus experience and how virtual classes and lack of social community bonding experiences could have affected a person's emotional bond to the school and the community.
Add to this lack of (or dampening of) ties to the other more traditional reasons mentioned, enough credits to leave early (AP, summer, overloaded at home schedule), save $, general grind of school....
Plus the idea that this group is used to doing something different than had been done before...COVID mixed it up...there's no longer as strong of a message of "it's USUALLY done this way".
Add to this lack of (or dampening of) ties to the other more traditional reasons mentioned, enough credits to leave early (AP, summer, overloaded at home schedule), save $, general grind of school....
Plus the idea that this group is used to doing something different than had been done before...COVID mixed it up...there's no longer as strong of a message of "it's USUALLY done this way".
Anonymous
04/24/2023 13:31
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel better, my kid is graduating one year late.
LOL
Anonymous
04/24/2023 12:15
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Not to mention, folks who start career early (with less college debt) are more likely to be financially independent earlier in life.
With the inflation and recession, unless you plan to go into government jobs with defined pension - there is a ton of uncertainty in the private sector and life happens (special needs child, job losses). You may be forced to take breaks or can choose to take sabbaticals. Starting work doesn't mean end of fun and free time.
Having more money than less is a way to ensure that you continue to have "fun" all through your life vs just in college years.
Also, agree about more cushy jobs.. my kid wants to go into CS and all CS large companies ... offer a work from anywhere 30 days + vacations. I am going to encourage my kid to graduate early, work from a different part of the world every year if possible.
In fact, that is what we plan to do, once we are empty nesters
With the inflation and recession, unless you plan to go into government jobs with defined pension - there is a ton of uncertainty in the private sector and life happens (special needs child, job losses). You may be forced to take breaks or can choose to take sabbaticals. Starting work doesn't mean end of fun and free time.
Having more money than less is a way to ensure that you continue to have "fun" all through your life vs just in college years.
Also, agree about more cushy jobs.. my kid wants to go into CS and all CS large companies ... offer a work from anywhere 30 days + vacations. I am going to encourage my kid to graduate early, work from a different part of the world every year if possible.
In fact, that is what we plan to do, once we are empty nesters
Anonymous
04/24/2023 12:05
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seeing/hearing from neighbors, acquaintances & relatives that their 2024 kids are graduating next month instead. WHY? You’re only young once! It’s crazy to me. There’s no way this is a money thing. It’s so sad. And these kids probably stifled their professional prospects due to not having time to do multiple internships. Why such a rush to grow up?
Because it's time to grow up. Have your own salary, own apartment, and a great time with your friends. Meet interesting people at work. Land the helicopter.
Many new graduates are working in jobs that are hybrid or remote, in this post-COVID world. It's more difficult to meet people at work, depending on the job obviously.
Unless there is financial pressure, it seems like a shame to rush through college, when you have a lifetime to work.
It seems a shame to delay and stay in college to have fun and take interesting courses, when you have a lifetime to have fun, take interesting classes (online, grad school) and meet fun people on travels and after work meet up groups with actual money to spend!
Anonymous
04/24/2023 10:05
Subject: Re:Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:college expenses *4 > College expenses *3
Hell yes. I would definitely take 90k/year from my parents for a degree at USC and use it to see the world. I am pretty sure that I would learn a whole lot more than staying an extra year at USC.
Anonymous
04/24/2023 09:53
Subject: Re:Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
college expenses *4 > College expenses *3
Anonymous
04/24/2023 09:52
Subject: Re:Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Money
Anonymous
04/24/2023 08:56
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:College isn’t like it was in the 90s or 00s people
It’s not fun and carefree anymore
Best to finish it asap
My DS will graduate next month one year early. He already accepted a job offer for 105K/year. He can't wait to graduate and start making money. He did two internships after his freshman and sophomore year and according to him, work is so much easier than college. To him, three years of undergrad is more than enough.
Ha, he's going to find out pretty quickly that the expectations for a full-time salaried employee are much different than those for a summer intern.
True, but that balances against making vs. spending money
I am a SWE and I find that working is so much easier than taking CS classes in college.
Anonymous
04/24/2023 08:51
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:College isn’t like it was in the 90s or 00s people
It’s not fun and carefree anymore
Best to finish it asap
My DS will graduate next month one year early. He already accepted a job offer for 105K/year. He can't wait to graduate and start making money. He did two internships after his freshman and sophomore year and according to him, work is so much easier than college. To him, three years of undergrad is more than enough.
Ha, he's going to find out pretty quickly that the expectations for a full-time salaried employee are much different than those for a summer intern.
True, but that balances against making vs. spending money
Anonymous
04/24/2023 08:50
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
My kid is ready to join the real world. College is just a means to and end.
Anonymous
04/24/2023 08:50
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:College isn’t like it was in the 90s or 00s people
It’s not fun and carefree anymore
Best to finish it asap
My DS will graduate next month one year early. He already accepted a job offer for 105K/year. He can't wait to graduate and start making money. He did two internships after his freshman and sophomore year and according to him, work is so much easier than college. To him, three years of undergrad is more than enough.
Are the gap year thread OP?
Anonymous
04/24/2023 08:49
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:College isn’t like it was in the 90s or 00s people
It’s not fun and carefree anymore
Best to finish it asap
My DS will graduate next month one year early. He already accepted a job offer for 105K/year. He can't wait to graduate and start making money. He did two internships after his freshman and sophomore year and according to him, work is so much easier than college. To him, three years of undergrad is more than enough.
Ha, he's going to find out pretty quickly that the expectations for a full-time salaried employee are much different than those for a summer intern.
Anonymous
04/24/2023 08:42
Subject: Why are UMC kids graduating 1 yr early from college?!?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:and why take unnecessary classes like history in college when an adult has no interest and has to pay money? All of us took mandatory social studies classes at high school.. Isn't 12 years of mandatory schooling sufficient for the society to function? If not, then add in more content for high school so as adults we can all focus on what we want to do vs. "satisfying requirements for a well functioning society"
History in HS and college SHOULD be very different. In HS, especially in AP classes, the focus is on facts. In college, especially in non-introductory courses, it’s about reading and comparing sources and creating your own arguments, or at least that’s the way it is at selective colleges.
Actually, that's how it is in AP history too. Completely different from when I took it in the 80s.