Count Down to Graduation!
Three years have flown by sooooo quickly and I can't believe I've almost done it; I'm going to defy the traditional laws of university
and graduate in three years! That is, if I can survive just one more semester...
Horrifically, the summer 2002 semester will be my 9th consecutive full-time semester -- no work terms, no 4 month
breaks of relaxation (only the short 2-3 weeks between semesters). Yes, I even suffered studying through the blazing heat of the summer semesters
with full courseloads and *groan* it's definitely been no picnic.
Nevertheless, I'll likely be donning that cap and gown in October -- cross your fingers for me!
Why graduate early??
Because I can. The 3-semester program at SFU permits students to attend classes full-time all year long -- even though
this was definitely not one of the reasons I chose SFU in the first place. During my first year, all my SFU pals were planning on taking
summer courses and I was simply, like, "why not?" So I did, and I never stopped. (Seriously, I love being a student!) So I've completed all my degree
requirements more quickly.
To get into med school. Statistics show that medical schools accept more students with degrees than students still working on their
degrees. I figured that having my degree when I apply in the coming year will give me a lil' added boost (hopefully!).
To get out of my parent's hair. Basically, they will not quit pushing me to work hard and finish school until I'm all done, so I figure
that getting done as soon as possible will make everything a little easier on their hearts... Well, there's more to this, but you people who know me
know exactly what I mean. =D
To get a good job ASAP and make good money to support myself. I know, I know; you're all probably saying I should just go on co-op.
I'm still working out the logic in this one, so give me some time! But note: co-op contradicts reason #2, so there.
Because it's impressive. Haha, this is a silly one. It's kind of cool to be able to say I completed my degree (i.e. coursework) at the age of 20 (in August). However,
the ceremony isn't scheduled until October, just a week after I turn 21, so... I guess I'm not officially graduating until I'm 21 anyway!
Do I recommend this for anyone else?
No, I don't recommend working to graduate early to anyone else! Although I loved the learning and being a student, I spent a lot of my
time in frustration and horrible anxiety before exams. You could ask anyone who knows me; I've become a psychologically/sociologically destructive person. =D Everyone
needs a break.
First of all, no matter how you plan your courses to fit the three year time span, you always run into problems. Courses conflict with each other
or get cancelled, and you end up having to alter your plan constantly. You also end up with a courses that you don't really want to take, but have to, because the courses
that you really want are not going to be offered for another two years. I went to my advisor about a course like this and he told me that maybe I'm rushing things a little too fast, but,
uh, excuse me, do I really want to wait two more years just to take a single course? I don't think so.
During the spring 2002 semester, I had to squeeze two courses into the same time slot, and that was definitely no fun missing one lecture or the other (although, ironically,
I managed to get my highest marks in those courses that semester... Hmmm...) I could've graduated in 8 semesters instead of 9, but I ended up dropping a heavy immunology course (which
would satisfy my final biology degree requirement) because, finally, I realized it was all too much. If you look at the 2 semesters before that one, they were predominantly full of biology and biochem.
Biology is awesome, but that was total overload. Nobody should have to go through that! But I had no choice; course conflicts and the lack of offered prerequisite courses saw it no other way, and
I ended up having to use my electives early on.
So, no, I don't recommend it. Plus, there's definitely more to campus life than studying your ass off 9 semesters straight! I tried to do everything... and...
let's just say I'm lucky that I'm gonna get out alive. =)
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