Reading an April 6 editorial in the Daily entitled “A university in shambles,” I was surprised and disheartened by the suggestion that graduating in three years to save money prevented students from experiencing “personal and professional growth.”

In high school, qualified students were instructed to take college classes through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College in the Schools and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options programs to get a head start. For students coming into college with a year or more of credits and a sense of what they want to study, graduating in four years instead of three is a reckless and pointless waste of time.

While a bachelorâÄôs degree may be the end of formal education for many, those moving on to graduate or professional school wonâÄôt gain anything they wonâÄôt later develop in ways more applicable to their future careers.

I agree that financial pressure shouldnâÄôt force anyone into overloading themselves by taking 20 credits per semester or a full load of summer classes, but there should always be encouragement for those who have worked hard to graduate early.