While most seniors prepare for the spring semester of the 2025 – 2026 school year, campus events, or more sports games, two Gordon College students are ending their time at Gordon a little earlier. Elissa Smith, a business management major and Olivia Lucas, a kinesiology major with a concentration in exercise and rehabilitation science, will end their academic journey in December. Their stories reveal that graduating early isn’t just about finishing fast; it’s about opportunity, timing, and embracing the season of life you’re in.
For Elissa Smith, graduating early was less about rushing through all her courses in college and more about making the most of the work she had already accomplished. While at Gordon, she has been community focused from the beginning. “I would say my time at Gordon has been well spent,” Elissa reflected. “I’ve loved learning in the business department with supportive and helpful professors. Some of my favorite memories were the intentional one on one conversations I’ve had with them.”
Relationships with her friends and professors really shaped her college experience just as much as the class assignments she worked through. She mentioned how her classmates are people who challenged, encouraged, and motivated her throughout her time at Gordon.
Elissa’s early graduation became possible due to her hard work in high school. She took AP courses and also took dual enrollment courses which allowed her to attend Gordon College with several required classes already completed. That intentionality in high school opened the door for her to explore more of her interests, including a psychology minor that added depth to her academic journey.
Looking forward, she hopes to work with children and families, which is an interest fueled by her psychology studies and her hands-on experiences on campus. She sees her studies as a business student and passion for relational work as a powerful combination.
When asked about the concept of graduating early, she offered her insight. “Graduating early definitely saves you money, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it for everyone, especially if you love your college experience.”
She adds, “College is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn, grow, and be in community with your friends. Don’t rush it unless you can graduate early while still accomplishing everything you hope to achieve.”
That powerful insight can reflect what many students may feel. The financial and practical benefits are more than understandable and relatable. But the same could be said about the desire to take in every day and enjoy the college journey.
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