The Standard Pace is For Chumps
I went to a college called Western Governors University, which is a “competency-based” school.
All that means is they judge you based on what you can do/demonstrate, not purely on tests, quizzes, and homework.
Once you feel prepared, you can take an exam, or build a project, to pass the class.
Because of this model, I was able to complete a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Data Analytics in a little over a year (6 months for each).
Most people’s first thought is “A degree in 6 months?! It must be a SCAM”…
It’s not.
It’s just that the traditional system is broken.
I mean, how is it that every degree can be taught in the same four years? Have we ever questioned this?
The traditional system is based on a pace that the average person can keep up with. If you’re not average, (meaning you’re willing to put in above average levels of effort), you can progress significantly faster than others.
Some people graduate from WGU after 4 years, or 7 years. Others, graduate in six months. But it’s not just WGU.
Derek Sivers graduated from college 2 years early.
Scott Young completed the entire four year MIT computer science curriculum in one year.
Some people take years to lose 20lbs.
Some people lose 100lbs in a year.
This isn’t a value judgement. Go at whatever pace you want.
But realize that you DO have a choice. What’s commonly done, the average pace, doesn’t define you.
Go at your own pace.