Seven tips to help you graduate from college in four years

It may sound counterintuitive, but freshmen college students who take a full load of reasonably demanding courses are more likely to graduate from college on time.

That’s part of the message Western Washington University has been conveying to its students in a campaign called “15 to Finish,” which encourages students to work hard from the outset.

Nationally, only about 40 percent of first-time, full-time freshmen graduate in four years with a bachelor’s degree; the rate is 59 percent after six years. Western’s graduation rate after four years is similar to the national average, but is better than 70 percent after six years.

Steven VanderStaay, the Western vice provost for undergraduate education, says he frequently talks to parents who have advised their incoming freshmen children to start with a light load — 12 credits — believing that will give them more time to study, build confidence and get a higher GPA