When you were a student, did you graduate in the standard time? Shorter? Longer?

at 17 years old i was no longer living at home with my mother, but still had my senior year of high school left to go. i was not about to drop out and not get a diploma! i found a place to live, but had to get a job to pay for things..so i entered independent studies and graduated almost a year ahead (shy by a month or two i think) than the rest of my "class". didnt go to college..was already in the work force.