How to Graduate From College a Couple Semesters Early
Eight or more semesters of college might be music to your ears if you are looking forward to an active social life. However, four years of college might also seem like too long to wait to enter into the adult world. If you are anxious to earn your college degree in order to start down your career path, there are steps you can take before graduating high school and upon entering college in order to shave a semester or more off of your college career.
Instructions
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Enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses at your high school if you receive good grades and have a strong work ethic. The requirements necessary to be eligible for advanced placement coursework can vary from school to school. You should talk with your academic counselor at your school in order to determine if an AP course is a good option for you. In the spring of each academic school year students in AP courses will take an exam in which they can earn a maximum score of 5. Students earning a 3 or higher will be eligible at most accredited colleges to receive college credits for the course they completed.
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Apply for early enrollment at a local college. Many colleges offer early enrollment and early college programs to students who have excellent grades and have already completed advanced studies at their high school. If you are eligible for early college, you will be able to enroll in one or more courses for college credits at a local institution. These credits can then be applied towards a degree upon graduation form high school.
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Sign up for CLEP exams. The college level examination program makes it possible for students to complete exams for various lower level college courses. Examples of the courses for which CLEP exams are available include: American Literature, American Government, Introductory Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Principles of Management and College Algebra. Consult your student handbook from your college for information on how many credits you can earn for a minimum qualifying score on a CLEP exam. Your handbook should also state what score you must receive on a CLEP exam in order to receive credits from your school.
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Complete your college studies early by attending college year round. Complete several courses throughout the duration of the summer at your college. If you will be going to your hometown for the summer, consider enrolling in summer classes at a college near your home. Make certain your credits will transfer before enrolling in classes at another college or university.
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Contact your academic adviser to determine if your college offers credits for life experience. Many colleges will offer you the chance to earn some credits based on work and volunteer experience that is related to a particular course offered by the college. Non-credit training and certifications you received through other schools can sometimes be converted into credits as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Adopt good study habits and a good work ethic in order to receive good scores in all your courses to avoid needing to repeat a course.
