3 years or 4 years university?

[slayercsa]

Hi, I am caught in a dilemma right now, and hence would like to seek some opinions from working adults or fresh grads.

Well basically I am offered 2 courses from our local unis. One last a span of 3 years(NTU), while the other is 4 years (SMU). Both are direct honors.

3 years allows me to have an additional year of annual salary and working experience but at the same time, everything is pack into 3 years according to my seniors. And if I am to double major, things will be even more pack.

On the other hand, 4 years allows greater flexibility. I can participate in more CCAs (intending to join 2 CCAs) and maybe a richer uni life. However, I will be hitting 26 years old upon graduation, compared to my peers who graduated at 24 or 25 years old. Hence I feel that I am quite old for an average grad.

If you are me, which choice will u make? 3 years for the time and monetary benefits or 4 years for a more fulfilling university in both studies and activities.

Thanks for reading and your input.

it's good to go for a 4 years programme. participate in overseas exchange, join CCAs instead of just spending all your time studying. u will be spending the next 40 years of your life working, so no harm having an additional year studying. nowadays, the year you graduate is also important. imagine graduating during an economic downturn year and u may spent 1 year searching for job instead of doing something constructive.

essentially when u go out to work, your interpersonal and communication skills will make you stand out. i have classmates who graduated 6 years ago with first class honours are just analysts now with average salary. while there are classmates who graduated with mediocre honours (second lower and third class) but were exceptional communicator as they learnt through their CCAs in university are managers now.

you have a choice in life. what you hope to be in the future is determined by what you do now.

[slayercsa]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

it's good to go for a 4 years programme. participate in overseas exchange, join CCAs instead of just spending all your time studying. u will be spending the next 40 years of your life working, so no harm having an additional year studying. nowadays, the year you graduate is also important. imagine graduating during an economic downturn year and u may spent 1 year searching for job instead of doing something constructive.

essentially when u go out to work, your interpersonal and communication skills will make you stand out. i have classmates who graduated 6 years ago with first class honours are just analysts now with average salary. while there are classmates who graduated with mediocre honours (second lower and third class) but were exceptional communicator as they learnt through their CCAs in university are managers now.

you have a choice in life. what you hope to be in the future is determined by what you do now.

But will employers prefer a 25 year old to a 26 year old?

Originally Posted by slayercsa

But will employers prefer a 25 year old to a 26 year old?

I seriously don't understand why you're so caught up with the age issue. What difference can it make? I'm guessing you're in a double degree for accountancy and business in NTU and another similar degree in SMU. This means you're good. Coupled with good interpersonal skills and other soft skills like communication, that ONE year difference WILL NOT make a difference.

On the other hand, a lack of confidence, no matter what age you graduate at, will break your career.

[slayercsa]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I seriously don't understand why you're so caught up with the age issue. What difference can it make? I'm guessing you're in a double degree for accountancy and business in NTU and another similar degree in SMU. This means you're good. Coupled with good interpersonal skills and other soft skills like communication, that ONE year difference WILL NOT make a difference.

On the other hand, a lack of confidence, no matter what age you graduate at, will break your career.

Well you can say that it is peer pressure. My secondary school friends who went JC are one year in front of me, while my poly friends went into direct year 2 as they continue on with their field of studies. So to a certain extent I feel like I am lagging behind them.

PS: Not offered double degree. Just a normal single degree. Anyway, double degree is 4 years too