Graduation is coming soon, and the 990 students that applied will be preparing to say goodbye.

990 students is not even half of the original incoming class of 2010, which University Registrar Chris Cox said was 3,899 students.

Why are the numbers so low?

“Retention is a big reason, students aren’t taking enough credits, students are constantly changing their majors and sometimes it’s just not financially feasible,” Cox said.

Factoring in the students that have already graduated, it brings a total of 1,236 students graduating at 32 percent, which is normal, said Cox.

Senior Kelsey Kula was surprised when she was told that the numbers were so much lower.

“I could see where people could fall behind,” Kula said. “It’s hard to decide what you want to do the rest of your life.”

Kula is graduating on time even after switching her major.

Fashion merchandising was her original major, but switched it out for Public Relations and a minor in fashion merchandising.

“Since I kept fashion merchandising, all of my credits transferred towards my minor,” Kula said.

Some advice that Kula gave to students was to get harder classes out of the way early and to get familiar with the degree audit online.

Senior Michelle Hicks is also graduating in four years and said that her family and advisor were her biggest help.

“I meet with my advisor every semester,” Hicks said. “She would have all my classes planned out for me so I stayed on track.”

Hicks said that her advisor put her at ease.

Not coming in with the right prerequisites and not taking classes in the right order are some reasons Hicks said people don’t graduate in four years.

Hicks has stuck with her Spanish major for the past four years, but switched her minor from chemistry to international business.

Even with switching her minor, Hicks still had the chance to take electives that she enjoyed.

“I think a lot of the students graduating on time are taking advantage of the tuition rate that remains constant between 12 and 18 credits,” Cox said. “Graduating in four years is possible.”

Kula said she wishes she got more involved, but is happy with the organizations she did get involved with.

“BG is my home away from home and I’ll miss it,” Hicks said.

Hicks and Kula are just two of the 990 that are graduating and are proof that graduating on time is possible.

“When you’re here, it’s not just about academics,” Hicks said. “I learned to balance my academics and social life, all while staying on track.”