While in college, you’ll have the opportunity to take summer classes to either help catch-up or propel you in earning a degree. Maybe you’ve failed aآ class or are just super ambitious about getting a degree. Whatever your situation, it’s a very tough, albeit responsible, decision to make especially if you treasure your summers. Mostly all the benefits are long-term which saysآ a lot about maturity if you do decide to tack on credits during your vacation.آ For instance, on one end, you have the cost of a college education which is no doubt wearisome, but if you take summer courses you ultimately lessen the time spent as an undergrad saving you cash in the long-run. On the other hand, since summer semesters are usually shortened, thisآ will have theآ unfortunate consequence of bulking more homework on your to-do list. And while everyone is traveling, enjoying fine weather and just relaxing under the sun, you’ll be pounding away completing assignments and writing essays. It’s a tough pill to swallow but there are benefits both long and short-term if you look hard enough. Below are a few of the reasons why taking summer courses isn’t such a bad idea.
Staying in the flow of things
Along with attaining a degree faster (summer classes generally take around four to eight weeks to complete), you’ll be able to stay in the routine of attending classes. Sometimes with a long break, it might be difficult re-adjusting back into the collegiate lifestyle. Of course, if you’re the kind of person that can just jump right into things, then this benefit will have noآ affect on you.آ But staying in “academic mode” during the summer for many will reduce the difficulty ofآ hitting the books come fall.آ Additionally,آ you’ll be able to take a pre-requiste which will open up aآ more desiredآ and advanced class in the fall. Alternatively, if a class has a reputation of being difficult, you can focus solely on that course during the summer instead of including it with a ton of other courses during the fall or spring sememters.
Take it easy
Another benefit to taking courses during the summer would be the smaller classes. You’ll have a greater opportunity to have one-on-one interaction with the professor which should help you achieve the grade desired. You’ll also find that summer courses are a bit more laid-back than those in the fall and spring semesters. I mean, it’s possible not even the professors want to sacrifice a summer vacation, yet they have to make a living too so here they are. An important note needs to be made here however,آ going to school year-round might raise concerns of burning out, so only sign-up if you truly feel you’re capable of meeting the requirements and avoid repeating a class taken during the summer (ouch). But again, with a less-than-formal learning environment, the reduction of stress and the ease of which you can communicate with a professor who’s not inundated with students should make things a lot easier.
Other activities during the summer
Overall, taking courses during the summer can have it’s high-points. You don’t need me to list all the negative reasons of making this choice as they are pretty apparent. It is primarily a long-term decision as virtually no one wants to sacrifice a summer vacation, but there are short-term perks as well.آ Additionally, as opposed to taking courses in the summer, there are also summer internships that you can get involved with that’ll help you land a job once graduated. Generally, it’s a good idea to take at least two internships during your college career since that’ll help you gain on-the-job experience to whatever degree you’re pursuing. You can possibly take summer classes one year to lessen your time as an undergraduate, then next year try-out for summer internship programs. Of course the decision is up to you, there’s nothing wrong with taking the summer off. After all, once you’ve finished college, you won’t have the luxury ofآ lengthy summer vacations anymore.
