It's a hot summer day and all you're thinking about is going to the beach with your friends until you realize you can't.
You can't because out of all your friends, you were the only one who decided to take on summer classes.
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For those thinking of taking summer classes, there are some pros and cons.
Pro: You can get ahead/stay on track of your graduation time.
By taking classes over the summer, you can minimize the number of classes you need to take in fall or the upcoming spring, and you can also minimize the time you have left in school.
Con: It can get expensive.
Unless you're taking summer classes at your local community college, the costs for summer classes can be expensive. There is always financial aid, but depending on how your university works, not all schools offer financial aid or only have a certain amount of funds to give to students for summer.
Pro: You'll stay focused throughout the whole entire year.
Because you won't get a break from school, you'll have that focus in you by the time the fall semester rolls around. While others will have to adjust to learning how to use their pens and pencils again, you'll be breezing through the first few days of school.
Con: Sometimes having a break is better.
Depending on how many summer classes you need to be taking, it might not be the best idea to load up on them. College students have enough stress surrounding them for almost an entire year that it may be a good idea to give yourself a break. Plus it's summertime, you don't want to miss out on beach days, weddings, fairs, and all the fun activities you could be enjoying with friends and family. Having a break can also help with giving your brain a break and clearing your mind to figure out your next steps in life.
Pro: You can take online classes.
The beauty of summer classes is that a lot of them are online. This means not having to show up to campus, doing work on your own time, and the ability to do your work at home or basically anywhere with Wi-Fi.
Con: Online classes aren't for everybody.
The problem with online classes isn't the fact that they are online, it's that its effectiveness really depends on the type of student you are while taking them. If you know you procrastinate or can't focus at home, online classes may not be for you. Though most people assume that a lot of online classes are easy lower-division classes, there are many upper-division classes. I can tell you from experience that most of the online upper-division classes aren't just answering online class discussions. In general, upper-division classes expect a lot of reading and writing and that's exactly how the online classes are as well. Also, if you need a direct, personal explanation from the professor on what he/she expects from your upcoming 10-page paper, then you probably don't want to take an online class. Most professors communicate via email and don't hold office hours on campus.
Whether or not you plan on taking summer classes, make sure to go out and have a little fun. Life is too short and though education is important, it is also crucial to keep your mind healthy and clear without the stress.
Enjoy your summer!
