Summer isn’t always about sleeping in until noon and spending every day at the lake.
Although not a traditional way to complete a semester, Ian Lloyd, a senior integrated studies major from Omaha, Nebraska, said he takes summer classes to finish college quicker.
“I feel like [summer classes] are easier, and most of them are quick and to the point—no fluff,” he said.
Lloyd said students can take six credits each summer and shave off at least a semester off a bachelor’s degree.
Jessie Bame, a Dixie State University alumna, said she was able to eliminate an entire year of studies by taking classes in the summer.
A perk to taking summer classes is smaller classroom size, said Aaron Crane, a senior communication major from Boise, Idaho.
“You get more one-on-one time with the professor,” Crane said. “Plus, you weed out all the class clowns and people who try to disrupt the classroom environment. More material is covered without disruptions.”
Summer classes are scheduled throughout an eight week block. Since the semester goes by quicker, Crane said it helps so he doesn’t feel lethargic at the end of the semester.
Bame said it was easier to stay on track because there’s no time to slack off.
“It made classes in the fall much easier, because I was already in study mode,” she said.
However, taking classes in the summer isn’t always the best option, Bame said.
Limited hours at the testing center is one inconvenience Lloyd experienced during the summer. The center closes at 5 p.m. three days out of the week and is closed Saturday and Sunday during the summer.
The duration of summer class periods are longer, and it’s difficult for a student to catch up if he or she falls behind, Crane said.
“Sometimes everyone—teachers and students—just wanted a vacation break, so focus occasionally lacked in class,” Bame said. “Sometimes we felt rushed, and there wasn’t time to better explain a concept we didn’t understand well.”
Lloyd said taking summer classes helped him be more responsible.
“It helped me stay on top of things,” Lloyd said. “If you miss a couple assignments during summer semester, it could ruin the whole course.”
Bame said she would advise students to consider enrolling in summer semester courses.
“Do it,” she said. “It’s so much easier and more laid back than spring and fall semesters, … and there’s still plenty of time to have a real summer vacation.”