Condensed Summer Classes

Many students take one or more classes at a campus near their home or back at their own school during the summer.  These classes are usually condensed into a short period of time (maybe 5 weeks) and the class meets for a longer period each day for 4 – 5 days a week.   There are positives and negatives to this arrangement plus some specific strategies for success:

Positives:

• You can concentrate on one or two subjects; your attention is not spread out over several subjects.
• If it is a topic you do not like, you can be finished with it sooner.
• If it is a subject you are struggling with, you can focus just on that for the period of time.

Negatives:

• You cannot slack off even one or two days because everything moves so quickly and so much material is covered in each class meeting.
• If it is a subject you are not thrilled about, you will have to deal with it every day.

Strategies for Success:

• Study the subject every day!
• Remember to use a variety of study strategies.
• Dedicate yourself to the course for the duration – make it your primary focus.
• Set aside specific time every day (including weekends!) when you will study and prepare.
• Focus on the positive fact that you are completing one more course toward your goal of graduation.

Summer classes are a great way to get ahead, be sure you graduate in 4 years, or make a future semester a little lighter.  Just be sure you are mentally prepared for the amount of work and are dedicated to your success.