Whoa, whoa. A science major with three minors? How are you graduating early?
I took a chance and ran with it, that's how.
Source: reddit.com
But in all seriousness, I hear this question all the time. So, I'm going to answer the question and show how you can apply this, whether you're in high school or in college.
1. I came into college with college credit already completed.
If you're still in high school, take advantage of any AP program. But, a word of warning: check out your top colleges and see what scores they accept, as well as if your degree plan for your intended major even requires the course.
If your school doesn't offer AP courses, see if there are some online they'd let you add, or take concurrent classes either online or at a local community college. These courses let you get both high school AND college credit for one class! I finished American History and two Spanish classes this way. Check with your advisor to see what your school can do for you.
Credits I completed: 16
2. I made a degree plan and got it approved.
Now, I know everyone's not a meticulous planner like I am. But trust me when I say that you will be glad you made a degree plan, especially if you have a minor or want to graduate early. The department's degree plan will not work for you.
I did this over a few weeks by taking the department's suggested degree plan and morphing it to be my own, taking into account courses I'd already completed and my minors. The above is just the courses I've completed so far. I have my entire 3 1/2 years planned out and color coded for easy interpretation, and at the bottom (unpictured) I have each of my degrees I want to graduate with to make sure I complete the appropriate number of credits. I took my entire degree plan to my advisor, made appropriate adjustments, and got it approved.
One thing to look out for when making a degree plan is courses that aren't offered every semester. For example, the upper division Biology courses at my college are usually only offered one semester each year. Email the secretary of the department and clarify what courses are offered when.
Another issue is classes that overlap. My college has a policy that, if both professors agree, you can take two courses that overlap by 15 minutes. I've done this twice and survived (with some negotiating on both ends). However, I know I am going to have a problem next spring with two classes that are at the exact same time. Try to see when classes were offered in previous semesters and talk to the professors. Perhaps there is some other course that could substitute, or you can do an independent study course (if those are offered).
3. I took classes during the off-semester.
If you're already in college, have no fear! You can still get credits outside of regular semesters. One option is summer school. At my college, these courses are set to be condensed into three weeks. This is a heavy-duty workload, but I just finished two semesters of physics in six weeks. If your school has a fast-track summer school like mine, then I'd advise only doing general education credits or forgotten-about/unwanted-but-necessary credits (like my physics).
Credits I completed: 17
4. I took CLEP tests.
Summer school is often expensive. My scholarship doesn't cover it. The second option is CLEP tests. These allow you to "test out" of a course, essentially. You can view what tests your college accepts online at www.clep.collegeboard.org and schedule a test. These don't count toward your GPA, so it's taken as a pass/fail course. Check with your advisor to make sure that your major accepts certain courses.
Credits I completed: 6
5. I listened to advice, but knew when to ignore it.
Most of the time, anyways. There are a few instances I wish I'd taken advice (like taking Pre-Calculus instead of Calculus), but for the most part, I have known my capabilities better than my advisors have. If you think that you can accomplish something, go for it! Take two hard courses at the same time. Take a course a year late. As long as it fits into your degree plan, who's to tell you you can't do it? (Okay, a lot of people can tell you you shouldn't. But they can't keep you from doing it!)
6. I planned EARLY.
I cannot emphasize this enough. If you think you want to graduate early, you have to plan it early. I started planning this the fall of my sophomore year. If I had waited another year, it wouldn't have been possible. Do it early, be realistic, and get it approved!
7. I prepared backup plans.
I have a list of courses I can substitute if a class doesn't work out. I'm okay with not getting all of my minors, and I'm also okay with doing a part-time semester if it comes to it. Always have a backup plan. If you're not prepared, it'll feel like this:
Source: reddit.com
8. I took the "undesirables" in stride.
7:50 classes, anybody? When you find out that that class you really, really wanted to take is only offered at 8 pm, just deal with it and move on with life. In the long run, you'll be happier that you took a class that you really wanted to take at a bad time rather than taking the lame substitute. You'll be happy you went to physics from 8 to 2 every day in the summer even though you felt like a train wreck. Basically, this:
Source: reddit.com
9. And finally, I was kind to myself.
Never have I done anything I knew I couldn't handle. I'm aware of my capabilities and, while I push them to the max, I come out in the end feeling like an exhausted champ. All it takes is a little planning and confidence.
There you have it. The answer to "How can someone with three minors graduate early?" I'm quite proud of the path I've taken, and the hard work I've done so far to do it.
From those who are graduating early like I will be, anything I missed?
