I’m a senior who’s 21 years old. I will be 22 in July. I today found out I have to retake two college classes. And it sucks because I see on social media where some of my classmates that I graduated with in high school graduated college this spring. They got their bachelors and are moving on. I feel left behind because now I have to wait until the fall. I just hate the thought of being the last person to do something. It’s the worst feeling.  I have to wait 7 months. I have never been good in school! I have always struggled. But it seems so easy for others. I hate the feeling.

  • communism@lemmy.ml
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    2 days ago

    People graduate from Bachelor’s wayy older than you. I was meant to go to uni when I was 18 then had a medical emergency, then a combo of surgeries and incarceration stopped me from going for several years after that, and I’m currently just working but may try to go to uni once I have more money. There are plenty of students who start an undergrad degree when they’re your age or older. People who start when they are 18 have various personal emergencies that mean they have to delay their education. You will be entirely fine.

  • a baby duck@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Literally does not matter. There’s always going to be someone smarter, harder-working, or more privileged than you. The sooner you accept that and take ownership of your own experience without comparing yourself to others, the better off you’ll be.

  • DominusOfMegadeus@sh.itjust.works
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    4 days ago

    This stuff is SO insignificant in the context of the rest of your life. It took me like 5 or 6 years and 3 different colleges (1 of them twice) to get my degree. It was a waste of money, and has had no impact on where I am now in life; which is actually in a pretty good place. That said, I completely understand how this seems like the be all end all of your world right now. Just realize that that is because of your age, and that will virtually vanish as you progress through life and gain perspective. I also completely understand that all of that probably won’t make you feel any better right now.

  • Gianni R@lemmy.ml
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    2 days ago

    Some people graduate in 3 years, some in 4, some in 5+. It really is different for everyone. Unless it is exceedingly financially difficult to afford these two additional classes, you’ll probably be okay.

  • billwashere@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Well it took me 15 years (started in ‘89 graduated ‘04) and I’ve been in IT for almost 30 years (there was obviously some overlap). But honestly after your first job, nobody cares.

  • folaht@lemmy.ml
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    2 days ago

    I never finished college, likely due to ADD.
    Check for mental issues if you suspect anything remotely of that sort.
    I only discovered the severity of it in my early forties.

  • Mariemarion@lemm.ee
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    4 days ago

    In my late forties and I couldn’t tell you what year I graduated. I know I fucked up so bad freshman year I had to switch from an Ivy League to an okay school with zero credit to my name, and lost a whole year, I know I got to 90% done with three different minors I ended up hating and dropping. I know I’m successful and happy in my career.
    It doesn’t matter a bit.
    Also, you’re struggling BUT doing it. That’s way more impressive than cruising through college.

  • HorikBrun@kbin.earth
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    4 days ago

    I started college at 16, and completed my first degree at 39. Don’t feel bad, the timeline works differently for different people.

  • cdf12345@lemm.ee
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    4 days ago

    In 10 years you won’t even thing about this.

    Just like I don’t remember which of my friends got their drivers license a few months ago before me.

    It seems like a high deal now because you’re in the middle of it, but as someone’s few decades out, it’s not going to matter at all. Now that you’re an adult you’re going to meet people of all different ages and different places in their lives.

    And most of it end up being because of things out of their control:

    They have a physical illness or injury that slows down an aspect of their life.

    They suddenly have to care for a parent, or sibling or child.

    Jobs are suddenly available or not available, you might have to move cities, or across countries.

    Everyone is doing things at their own pace. There is no reason to compare your journey against anyone else, because there are so many factors that got you where you are, and so many that will get your where you’re going, comparisons are worthless.