Should I be taking summer classes to get ahead?
I already have sophomore standing in my freshman year of college, but I feel like I need to be doing summer classes (or at least one class) to stay ahead and give myself time to complete minors and possibly another major in my college career. Would it be beneficial to take a summer class or should I wait? #collegeclasses #summer-class
4 answers
Nancy’s Answer
Hi, Hannah,
Congratulations on almost sophomore status! I think the answer depends on how many credit hours per semester you will have to take without the summer class. It also depends on your finances available. Some students need to earn money to earn their contribution toward their tuition for the regular school year. However, if that is not a concern, a summer class may lighten your load from 19 credits to 16, or 18 to 15, in the following year. My daughter, for example, wanted to only take 4 difficult classes one semester, so took chemistry in the summer. She is glad that she did.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Benefits of Taking Summer Classes in College
Taking summer classes in college can offer several benefits, especially for students like Hannah who are looking to get ahead in their academic journey. Here are some reasons why taking summer classes may be beneficial:
Accelerated Progress: Summer classes allow students to accelerate their progress towards graduation by completing courses during the summer break. This can help students like Hannah who want to complete minors or additional majors within a shorter timeframe.
Lighter Course Load: By taking a summer class or two, students can distribute their course load more evenly throughout the year. This can alleviate the stress of taking a heavy course load during the regular semesters and provide more flexibility in scheduling.
Focus on Challenging Courses: Summer classes can be a great opportunity to focus on challenging courses that may be difficult to fit into a regular semester schedule. Students can use the summer term to tackle tough subjects without the distractions of other courses.
Maintain Momentum: For students who want to stay academically engaged and maintain their momentum during the summer months, taking a class can be a productive way to continue learning and growing.
Explore Interests: Summer classes also provide an opportunity for students to explore new subjects or interests without committing to a full semester course load. This can help students like Hannah discover potential minors or additional majors they may want to pursue.
Networking Opportunities: Summer classes often have smaller class sizes, which can facilitate closer interactions with professors and peers. This can lead to valuable networking opportunities that may benefit students in their future academic and professional endeavors.
Graduate Sooner: By strategically planning summer classes, students may be able to graduate sooner than expected, saving both time and money in the long run.
Considerations Before Taking Summer Classes
While there are clear benefits to taking summer classes, it’s important for Hannah to consider a few factors before making a decision:
Financial Implications: Summer classes may incur additional costs, so it’s essential for Hannah to evaluate her financial situation and determine if she can afford the extra expenses associated with taking summer courses.
Work-Life Balance: Hannah should also consider how taking summer classes might impact her work-life balance and overall well-being. It’s crucial for her to ensure that she has enough time for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits outside of academics.
Availability of Courses: Before committing to summer classes, Hannah should check if the courses she needs are offered during the summer term at her institution. Ensuring that the necessary courses are available will help her stay on track with her academic goals.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, whether Hannah should take summer classes depends on her individual circumstances, goals, and preferences. If she is motivated, has clear academic objectives, and is willing to put in the extra effort required during the summer months, then taking a summer class or two could indeed be beneficial in helping her get ahead in her college career.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
The Chronicle of Higher Education: A reputable source known for providing insights and analysis on higher education trends and issues.
Inside Higher Ed: An authoritative publication covering news and developments in higher education, offering valuable perspectives on student experiences.
American Council on Education (ACE): A leading organization representing U.S. higher education institutions, offering research-based insights into academic practices and policies relevant to college students like Hannah.
God Bless You, Muchly, JC.
Conner’s Answer
Hi Hannah,
It was my experience that summer courses were beneficial to accomplishing my goal of being admitted to a graduate accounting program at IU. From my freshman orientation I knew I wanted to do the 3/2 MBA program at the Kelley School of Business. With that knowledge I was able to plan out my schedule to ensure that no single semester was going to be to much to handle. This included taking a full summer session prior to my junior year and one class after my junior year to hit the pre-requisites for my grad program. When I graduated I left with a double major in accounting and finance, a minor in Spanish, and an MBA with a focus in financial analysis. With that said, I would suggest that you try to map out the courses that are required for your major to see how much extra capacity you will have in the upcoming semesters. After that you can start slotting in other potential majors/minors you might want to add on to see how many additional credits you will need to take to accomplish those goals. One additional bit of advice is to not over-schedule yourself if you are working and going to school at the same time. I had one really rough semester because I was working too much. Even if you build out your school schedule perfectly, you still need to keep in mind non-school related commitments (e.g. job, clubs) so your schedule isn't too crazy. Sometimes taking a couple classes in the summer will help alleviate that problem.
Emily’s Answer
Hi Hannah,