By Madison Hallett
After all the essays, projects, and exams have been completed for the year, the last thing on a college student’s mind is taking summer classes. But, before you write them off, check out these 12 reasons why summer classes may be the best thing ever.
1. Shorter duration
Summer courses are shorter. Rather than being a semester long, they are only about a month long. So you can get them out of the way faster and still have time to fit in all your fun summer plans!
2. Graduate in less time
Taking one or two summer classes every year may allow you to graduate early, so while everyone else has another semester or more to go, you can take time off to do the things you love, or get a head start on your career.
3. Flexibility
Unlike the regular semester when you’re stuck on campus, you can take your summer classes online, at a different campus, or at your local community college. Just check with your school before enrolling to make sure they’ll accept the credits.
4. Save money
Summer classes may be cheaper, especially if you take them at a less expensive community college. Taking summer courses to graduate early can save you and your parents a lot of money in tuition, room and board, and living expenses.
5. Get ahead
Summer’s a great time to get your General Education requirements out of the way, so you have more time to focus on your major or minor during the regular school year.
6. Try something new
Want to try something outside of your regular curriculum? Instead of taking extra classes during an already busy semester, take something new during the summer when you have more time.
7. Catch up on credits
If you’re behind on credits or need to re-take a class, summer is the perfect time to do it. It’s faster and won’t get in the way of your regular schedule.
8. Get into popular classes
Some classes are popular and hard to get into during the regular school year, but probably not during the summer. If you can’t get in any other time, try registering for the summer class.
9. More access to your professors
Summer courses are often pretty small, so you can get more one-on-one time with your professors, which can help you do better in class.
10. Letters of recommendation
Developing a closer relationship with your professors can be very handy when it comes time to ask for letters of recommendation for internships, scholarships, jobs, and grad school.
11. Impress employers
Using summer classes to graduate early is a great way to demonstrate your focus, ambition, and motivation, which may help you stand out from your peers and impress employers.
12. Keep your brain active
Taking summer courses will keep your brain active all year round. The more you exercise your brain, the better it will perform.
Every school is different, but summer registration deadlines are usually between mid-April through the end of May. Check with your school to get the exact details and deadlines to sign up for summer classes.
Once you add up all the benefits and savings, you may find that summer classes are the best thing ever.
Use your extra-sharp summer class brain to apply for scholarships with our Scholarship Match.
About the author
Madison (Mattie) is a sophomore at Colby-Sawyer College, majoring in creative writing and minoring in art history. Very involved in theater and music, her love for piano is almost as strong as her Vermont pride.