Are you getting antsy with too much time on your hands this summer? Why not take advantage of that free time and earn some college credits! Not only will you learn something new, but it can also help you graduate faster. Here are five things to consider before signing up for a summer college course.
CHECK THAT THE CREDITS TRANSFER
One of the biggest reasons for taking a summer college course is to help you graduate on top or even graduate early. Therefore, if you’re not taking the course at your university, make sure to be in contact with an advisor in order to know whether the course credit you’re receiving over the summer will transfer to your college.
FINISH UP YOUR GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Are you excited to start taking your major required classes? Do you dread thinking about how many general education courses you still have to take before starting on your major classes? Well why not try and finish up those general education courses this summer. If you are taking summer courses at a different university, you might be able to take general education classes not available at your university. Of course, make sure those course credits transfer and that they fill a general education requirement you need.
SMALLER CLASSROOM SIZES AND COURSES DON’T FILL UP AS QUICKLY
There are fewer students who take courses over the summer. As a result, you don’t have to compete with as many students to get a spot in a popular class. I remember at my college, Psychology courses, especially upper-level courses, always filled up within the first few days. However, the summer Psychology courses were a lot easier to register for. Another benefit of a college course is that the classroom size tends to be smaller. This benefits you because it means you will have an easier time communicating with the instructor and you might be able to get more individualized attention due to the smaller class size.
RETAKE A COURSE/ TAKE A HARDER COURSE
Is there a course you really need to retake? Well, retaking a course over the summer means you don’t slow down your schedule during the school year. Or, you can take one of your harder courses over the summer. For example, if you’re concerned that orgo will be too time consuming during the school year, you can try to take it over the summer. While the summer course sessions tend to be shorter than a regular semester, you’re also juggling fewer classes. That means you can focus on just your orgo class for the next few months and not have to worry about falling behind in your other classes.
HOW ARE YOU PAYING FOR YOUR SUMMER SESSION?
One more thing to consider when signing up for a summer course is how you’re going to pay for it. Are you paying out of pocket or will you need to take out a loan? Explore your funding options and see what is available to you. Also make sure to compare the cost of a course at different institutions. Oftentimes, classes at a community college will cost less than classes at a university.
If you find yourself looking for something to do this summer, try taking a summer course! The best part is that many are available online which means you wouldn’t even have to leave your bed. Happy learning!
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