Why You SHOULD Be Taking Summer Classes

Every spring semester I find myself yearning for summer time; the sun, days at the pool, summer camps for the kids and break for me.  Yet, every single summer I end up registering for classes.  During the summer, I hate myself.  When the semester is over, I am SO glad I did it.  For the past two years I have limited myself to two classes over the summer but this year I am registered for four classes, hoping to graduate in December. 

Here are the FIVE reasons why I continue to take summer classes:

ONE.

Catch up/ Get ahead

I initially started taking summer courses because I needed to retake classes I had failed my freshman year.  During the summer I was able to take two classes to catch up to where I needed to be in my degree plan but this led to me getting ahead.  Does that even make sense as a non-traditional student? Yes, because every year you are now two classes (or however many you take in a summer) ahead in the overall number of classes you need to graduate.

TWO.

Continuity

Summer classes also allowed me to keep the same pace academically all year long.  I know my self; if I were to take a summer off I would have been very reluctant to go back in the fall semester.  Keeping in the mind frame of checking Blackboard or going to class, writing research papers and reading textbooks will only make the transition into the fall semester that much easier.

THREE.

Relaxed classes

I have been very lucky in that the classes I have taken during the summer semester have been very relaxed.  When I say classes are more relaxed, what I mean is that there is more one on one time with your professors in face-to-face classes and I have found that correspondence via email and Blackboard is more laid back with online classes.  There is just an air of ‘lets get the assignments done so we can enjoy the rest of our summer day' while still gaining the same amount of knowledge as you would in a spring or fall semester

FOUR.

Fewer Students

This ties into THREE, with fewer students you are able to interact more with your teacher.  Summer classes cover a lot of information in a short amount of time.  You will have questions and with a fewer students you will have the time to speak to your professor more.  This also allows you time to build a relationship with your professor, this will come in handy when you need letters of recommendation for future jobs or graduate school applications!

FIVE.

Shorter time frame

If you are taking 8 week or 10 week classes, your summer will fly by regardless.  If you opt for a shorter time frame class you can get past the classes that you have been dreading, i.e. Math 1314.  Yes, I am a senior taking a freshman math class.  I HATE MATH!

While I know my summer will be consisting of four wonderful college classes, I know the pool will still be calling my name.  Just like any other semester, making it thru a summer semester is all bout prioritizing and creating a structured schedule.  Consider the benefits that push me to take summer classes and you  will find them beneficial for you as well!