Whether you’re in high school or college, graduating is an exciting and important moment in your life. When in high school, for most people, it marks the beginning of an independent life, and college marks the beginning of a career, and starting a new life. But sometimes it feels like it just takes too long.
For some people, putting in the extra work to graduate early and get a jump on their new career is the best way to go about life. For others, they like to go with the flow and enjoy it while it lasts. Whichever group you belong to, it’s important to understand the options available.
College During High School
A normally overlooked way to graduate earlier from college, is to do it while you’re still in high school. Depending on your location, a lot of high schools and colleges work together to offer AP, or concurrent enrollment classes.
These are college-level classes that allow you to earn credit at a certain university or college, that can then be transferred to other universities in the future. This is a great way to get a lot of generals done, or even get a whole associates degree. Another big plus is that it’s often cheaper than normal college, so you save money as well.
Dual Enrollment or Online College
Another great way to advance faster through college, is dual enrollment, specifically through an online university. Being able to take additional classes on your own time, even if it’s just one or two, is a great way to earn a few extra credits in your down time. This is especially effective if you can take a fun elective course that you need, so that you feel less like you’re sacrificing personal time, by doing something that you like.