By Dana Kim — Took six years to finish a four-year degree. Graduated. No one cares how long it took.
Last updated: April 2026
I dropped out of college in my second year. I told everyone I was taking a break. That was not true. I was failing. Not academically. I was getting B’s and C’s. But I was miserable. I did not know why I was there. I did not know what I wanted to study. I felt like I was wasting time and money.
So I left.
I worked retail for a year. Then food service. Then an office job answering phones. None of those were my passion. But they taught me something important: I did not want to do any of them forever.
After two years, I went back. Different school. Different major. Different attitude.
I graduated at 26. Four years later than planned.
What Was Different the Second Time
The first time, I was there because that is what you do after high school. Everyone was doing it. I did not have a better plan. So I went.
The second time, I knew why I was there. I wanted a job that did not make me miserable. I wanted options. I wanted to not be stuck answering phones forever.
That changed everything.
| First Time | Second Time |
|---|---|
| Went because I was supposed to | Went because I chose to |
| Did not know my major | Knew exactly what I wanted |
| Skipped class sometimes | Did not miss a single one |
| Did the minimum | Did extra |
| Felt lost | Felt focused |
The classes were not easier the second time. I was just more ready.
What I Learned About the “Right Path”
For a long time, I felt ashamed. My friends graduated at 22. I was still in school. I felt behind. I felt like I had failed.
Now, looking back, I realize: there is no single timeline.
Some people know what they want at 18. Good for them. Some people do not. That is also fine.
I needed to fail at college to appreciate it. I needed to work bad jobs to know why I wanted something better. I needed to be older to take school seriously.
That is not failure. That is just a different path.
What I Am Not Saying
I am not saying everyone should drop out of college. Most people should not.
I am not saying college is the only path. It is not. Trade school. Self-study. Starting a business. All valid.
I am not saying you should stay in college if you are miserable. But also do not leave just because it is hard.
I am just saying: if you leave, it is not the end. You can come back. You can start over. You can finish later. None of those make you a failure.
A Few Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me
It is okay to not know. You do not need to have your whole life figured out at 18. Or 22. Or 25. Most people do not.
The timeline you see on social media is fake. People post their wins. Not their struggles. You are comparing your behind-the-scenes to their highlight reel.
Taking longer is not the same as failing. A degree at 26 counts the same as a degree at 22. No one asks how long it took.
Work experience before college helps. I was a better student at 24 than I was at 19. Life experience matters.
The Bottom Line
I dropped out. I felt like a failure. I went back. I graduated. No one cares that I was older.
The extra time was not wasted. It was just part of the process.
If you are struggling in school right now, or if you left and feel bad about it, here is what I want you to know: you can go back. You can start over. You can finish late.
None of that makes you less than the person who finished on time.
About the author: Dana Kim took six years to finish college. She works in marketing now. No one has ever asked her how long her degree took.
This article reflects personal experience. Everyone’s educational journey is different. What worked for one person may not work for another.
