Despite what you may have heard, summer school is not just for the flunkers or slackers. Students of all grade levels, disciplines, and academic pursuits take summer courses to earn credits needed for graduation. Summer school gives students the chance to take classes that are hard to get into during the regular semester and knock out tough classes in a shorter amount of time. If you’re on the fence about going to summer school and need some convincing, check out these eight reasons to go to summer school.
-
Get ahead:
Whether you want to stay on pace, graduate early, or lighten your class load next semester, taking summer school classes will help you achieve your academic goals in a quick, effective way. If you’re considering switching majors or want to minor or double major, summer school will give you the opportunity to chip away at your course load and knock out required courses and ones that are hard to get into during the regular semester.
-
Complete difficult classes:
One of the major pluses of going to summer school is that you can complete your hardest classes in eight weeks or less. And since most students only take one or two classes per summer session, they typically have more time to dedicate to demanding subjects. But just because summer courses are shorter doesn’t mean they’re necessarily easier. The same information is crammed into a shorter amount of time, so be prepared to work just as hard, if not harder, to stay on top of your studies.
-
It’s cheaper:
In some cases, summer school can be cheaper than taking classes during the regular semester. Depending on the college and course, you may have fewer required materials and be able to snag a used or loaned textbook more easily in the summer because there aren’t as many students. Be sure to check with your school’s financial aid office for guidelines and deadlines for summer aid.
-
Repeat a class:
If you didn’t do so hot in one or more classes this year, you can redeem yourself in summer school. Repeating a course during summer school, whether you failed or not, will give you the opportunity to do a grade replacement and improve your GPA. Medical school and other graduate programs may require a B or higher in certain field-related courses, so it’s never a bad idea to repeat a course if you think you will need a higher grade and can do better the second time around.
-
Pass the time:
Three months may not seem like a very long time, but if you decide not to enroll in classes, prepare for your summer to drag on. Summer school helps pass the time while you’re not working or hanging out by the pool. If you stick around your college town and don’t go to school, you’ll definitely be outnumbered and quite bored. Make it a productive summer by enrolling in a class or two.
-
Smaller classes:
The class sizes during summer school are much smaller and more intimate than the regular semester. Teachers generally have fewer classes and tend to be more available during the summer. Small, intimate class settings allow for more effective learning and academic success because you have more one-on-one time with your teacher and more opportunities to engage in classroom discussions.
-
Fewer distractions:
Summer school is much more laid back than the regular school year and students generally have fewer distractions to worry about. There are no football or basketball games, no demanding extracurricular activities, and very few social obligations holding you back. All you have to focus on is a couple of classes and, if applicable, work. With fewer distractions on your plate, you can stay on top of your studies and succeed.
-
Improve your GPA:
Had a bad spring semester? Need a GPA boost? Well, summer school may be just what you need to increase your grade point average. Whether you enroll in easy-A courses or tough, major-related classes, you’ll need to work hard and manage your time wisely to keep up with the accelerated pace and make good enough grades to boost your GPA.
No comments:
Post a Comment