Forget everything you’ve learned about summer semester. You can take summer classes, have a great summer and even work a job if needed. Summer semester is not meant for students to catch up; it’s actually designed for students to get ahead. Here are five popular myths about summer semester that are just that…myths. Don’t let these keep you from making the most of your summer.
1. Summer should not be the first semester you take classes.
Summer is the best time to enroll, especially if you’re going to a big campus. The campus is less crowded, professors and administrators are more relaxed. It’s a perfect time to get familiar with the campus. By the time your friends arrive in the fall, you will already have mastered to library databases and know which cafeteria serves the best food!
2. You have to stay on campus for the summer.
If you’re going to a big campus out of state, you may want to stay on campus for mini-semester during summer. Otherwise, look at options close to home. You can get some important classes out of the way, taking advantage of the community college’s small classes and low tuition. You might be able to wipe out a whole year of biology in six weeks or get a humanities elective out of the way attending just one night a week. And you’ll never know who you’ll meet as many adjunct faculty are actually CEOs, engineers, even doctors. (In other words, people who might be in a position to hire you when you come back home completely educated.)
3. Summer school is to catch up or repeat classes you’ve failed during the regular semester.
This is true in high school, but generally not the case in college. Most colleges offer a variety of courses and a completely different timetable. The class you need to repeat may not even be offered. Ideally, college students use summer courses to get some required non-major courses taken so they’ll have a semester abroad or for an internship during their senior year. Some even use summer semester to make room for a second major.
4. Summer school ruins the whole summer.
Most colleges offer six or seven different options during summer. You might enroll in a class that lasts only the month of June. Your class might meet all day everyday – but only for a week. You might go every Monday night for a week. And, most likely, you’ll be online and you can take it when it’s convenient. (And, yes, community colleges offer plenty of classes online.
5. Your brain needs the break.
Your body or your attitude may need a break, but your brain doesn’t. Summer school keeps it sharp. You won’t need a week or two to “get back in the swing of things” when fall starts.
BONUS – Since summer semester is usually not crowded, you’ve got a better chance of getting into crowded classes. This may become even more important as most universities are facing cutbacks which mean fewer sections of English Comp, foreign languages and business courses.
Of course, there’s a few caveots. If you’re planning to take classes at home to transfer back to your university, check with your advisor to make sure the courses WILL transfer. If you’re attending an accredited college or university in the summer, this shouldn’t be a problem. Stay on top of your assignments.
Summer courses are almost always shorter in time, so that means the class moves quickly. Your midterm may come in the middle of the second week. Register as soon as possible. Most summer courses begin around June 1.
Reference:
- Fill in the blank: www. (university near you) .com
- www. (community college near you) .com
- or just do a search: “your area” + “summer semester” to find time tables and more!
