Hallelujah, it's finally summer break. That is the first thing that most, if not all, college students will say or think as soon as they finish up that last final and are finally on their way home for the summer. It is very understandable, considering how demanding finals alone are. Speaking from experience, I can say that as soon as I am on break, I am exhausted and I could sleep for 12 hours (which I did pretty much after my freshman year of college was over). However, thanks to my tendency to think far in advance, I also had a big, productive plan in place for most of the summer: a summer class.

Summer classes are not scary. For some students, "summer class" might sound like a dreadful oxymoron or something that is done begrudgingly just in order to graduate on time. For those of you who really put forth the effort during the fall and spring semesters and just want the summer to relax, I totally understand and respect that. If anything, the fall and spring semesters are the times whenever the most effort should be given. However, while summer vacation in college is definitely a long period of time that should be dedicated to relaxing, I can tell you from experience that without a job or car, just sitting alone at home every day with nowhere to go gets boring really quickly. To each their own, but I personally prefer to not be bored. Since I like to work and get ahead, a summer class is usually my best bet.

Really, it's not as bad as it sounds. In fact, I have had summer classes that I looked forward to for a few good reasons. My first summer class in college was Public Speaking, and I enjoyed it because it was right before my senior year of high school started. I got to stay on campus and determine whether the college life was really right for me (obviously it's was for sure). Not to mention all of the interesting restaurants and stores in walking distance always gave me somewhere to go. Usually summer classes are only five weeks at Marshall University, except for Summer I, which goes from the middle of May to the end of July. I took full advantage of that Summer I session my first summer of college. A lot of classes are offered online. Summer classes for general education courses (especially online) are a life saver.

Specifically, I recommend doing general education courses that are not related to your major (unless you have failed them and would like to retake them at another institution), such as a social science, communications, or math. These classes are generally not work heavy, and are convenient for when you want to get ahead and be productive. Granted, you definitely pay for the convenience, but it beats being bored during the summer and being more stressed out or having to stay longer at college.

Summer classes are worth it. They are worth every second, every penny, and definitely worth the weeks that are spent with practically no obligations. I look forward to summer classes because I love being productive. I love working ahead. I love being able to get basic courses out of the way when it's easiest so that I have more time to focus on major courses and less time to worry about not graduating in a decent amount of time.