By: Bianca Bailey (Whetstone staff writer)

College used to be a 4-year deal.

For many students at Wesley College, not anymore.

Factors such as transferring, changing majors, starting college as an undeclared major, not taking enough courses, or taking the wrong courses contribute to an extra year for many students.

“I use to be very embarrassed about attending Wesley for a 5th year, but I have learned to embrace it,” said “super senior” Keeyana Talley. “I’ve changed my major more than three times, but I couldn’t be more happier to be a psychology major.”

Talley said one of her favorite things about her major is that she loves her professors.

“My professors are amazing and extremely supportive,” she said. “No one told me that changing my major would set me back a year, but having the support of Mrs. Riddle and Mrs. Stephens, I definitely didn’t feel any pressure. Each of them respected what I wanted to do (help others), but also cared for me enough to give me the ugly truth.”

Talley said that she wasn’t aware changing her major could affect her graduation date.

“I’m glad that I am in a major I really enjoy and not a major I would have regretted,” he said.

If a student is a double major, it may be difficult to graduate on time.

Kirk Brooks, a major in both Business and Accounting, is also a student on the five-year plan.

“I was aware when I picked up a second major that I would be here an extra year,” he said. “It was because of the timing of my declaration and when classes are offered that I had to stay an extra year.”

Brooks said that he had support from his family to help him with his decision to double major.

“My parents were a big help and were supportive of both a second major and a fifth year,” he said. “I just felt that one extra year and a couple more classes were worth it for a second degree and a potentially better standing in the work force upon graduation.”

Students who are not aware that they have to take an average of at least 15 credits a semester may have to take extra credits their senior year or they may have to graduate a semester/year later than expected.

However, Wesley does have seniors who graduate on time.

Senior Jasmine Burris is confident in her graduation date.  

“I filled my semesters with the maximum of 18 credits, especially if I needed to drop a class,” she said. “I also mapped out everything so whenever I needed an important class, but my course load was too full, it was offered during a semester that I could take it.”

In order to graduate on time, students have to have a game plan from the beginning and stay completely on track. College can be the place where young adults figure out what they want to do, but sometimes it might cost another year.