Graduating early offers pros, cons for seniors

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Susan Downs

Seniors Zack Isbell and Ashley Godfrey discuss a literature project outside Ms. Amanda Shropshire’s room during 2nd period. Godfrey is scheduled to graduate at the end of the fall semester and plans on attending Penn Valley in the spring.

Story by Susan Downs, Editor/Reporter

To graduate early, or not to graduate early. That is the question.

Counselors Mary Hay and Melessa Demo state that not many students graduate early. Most do it for financial reasons so they can get out in the workforce and pay for college.

“It’s a very individual basis whether it is beneficial, or not for some,” Ms. Hay said.

Students need at 25 credits to graduate. Students can graduate early by going to summer school every year and taking online classes to meet that requirement. Ms. Demo agrees that graduating early does meet some people’s needs. However, she believes that missing out a on semester of more academic preparation could affect them.

Last year 14 seniors graduated a semester early and four graduated an entire year early. College Adviser Krystal Brier explained that while it does vary from student to student on how beneficial graduating early could be, students will “grow up faster” and lose out on the last bit of childhood before entering the world of being an adult.

“The longer you can be learning in the classroom, the better,” Ms. Brier said.

This year 20 seniors are scheduled to graduate a semester early and four an entire year, though this number may change. Senior Ashley Godfrey said one reason students might graduate early could be, “they are too mature, or want a new environment where they haven’t been for the last thirteen years.”

Godfrey will be graduating in January to got to Penn Valley to get a head start. Senior Alexus Wily will be graduating this May, an entire year early. To do this she had to go to summer school every year as well as take online classes. She believes that some of the disadvantages around graduating early is the stigma about being younger.

“I’m ready to take higher courses to better myself and get to a higher level,” Wily said.

Whether it is best to graduate early or not is entirely up to the student. The counselors are available to advise students on which option would be best.