Five reasons why enrolling full-time in college is a game-changer

Text for five reasons to attend college full-time with image of student in grad cap holding up peace signs

Did you know taking 15 units per term instead of the minimum 12 units can save you time and money? By staying on track with 15 units, you’re more likely to earn your bachelor’s degree in four years, which means fewer costs and starting your career or next goals sooner. Investing a little extra effort each semester can make a big difference in your future! 

Estefani Canizales (she/her) and Monica Flores Tapia (she/her) are members of the Making Waves Student Advisory Committee for 2024-25. They are sharing their advice for why enrolling full-time in college courses is worth it.

1. Get the most of your financial aid

Enrolling full-time in college makes you eligible for financial aid, meaning more money in your pocket to crush those tuition bills.

2. Graduate faster

Taking a full (or extra) course load can help you finish your college degree sooner, saving you time, money, and stress — and getting you closer to your goals.

3. Start adulting (the fun kind) sooner

Graduating from college earlier means you can kick off your career, gain experience, and secure that bag (a salary) faster.

4. Less stress, more progress

Staying full-time helps you avoid dragging out your college degree, keeping things simple and manageable so you can stay on track.

5. Level up your connections

Being on campus full-time gives you more chances to meet people, build networks, and connect with professors or potential mentors who can open doors for you.

What’s next?

Think about your college goals — does full-time enrollment help you get there faster? If you’re not sure, contact your college advisor or Making Waves college coach for advice. Making the move to taking courses full-time rather than part-time could be the power-up you need to crush college and slay your future career. 💪✨

More resources

What's trending

About Making Waves Education Foundation

At Making Waves, we are committed to educational equity. Making Waves Education Foundation is a Bay Area nonprofit that supports Making Waves Academy – a public charter school with more than 1,100 5th through 12th grade students – and leads college and career programming with more than 430 college students.​

Knowing the opportunities that come with a college degree, we partner with historically underrepresented and underserved students to help make college affordable and graduation attainable. Centering the journeys of our students, our personalized approach includes college and career coaching, scholarships, and financial planning.​

Our alumni network includes more than 730 college graduates, who earn their degrees and land jobs at more than twice the rate of their first-generation, low-income peers, with 85% graduating debt-free.