Succeeding in Compressed Summer Classes

Most classes in the summer are compressed into about one-third the length of a regular semester.  This has its good and bad points depending on what else you are doing and how much you like the class!  Whatever your reason for taking the class or where you are taking it, it is important to do well.  The following is information I share with my students about these classes:


Benefits of taking a summer course:

• If taken at your institution you can raise your cumulative grade point average which is especially important if you are on academic probation or need a higher average to get into a specific program.
• You can take required lower level classes (math in particular) so that you can move on to the higher level classes required by your major.
• You can take some General or Liberal Studies requirements and thus lighten your course load during the semester or graduate early.

Positives:

• You only have one or two courses to focus on so you are not as scattered as during the semester.
• If you do not like the subject it will be over quickly.
• If you are taking the course at an institution near your home you will meet students from a variety of other schools who also live in your area.  This can be a fun experience and help you gain different perspectives.

Negatives:

• You most likely will have the class four or five days a week for several hours a day.  If you do not like the course that can be a very long time.
• It is the same amount of material covered in a regular semester.  You will have to study every night, there is no time to let up on your preparation.

Strategies for Success:

• Make sure you understand your school's policies.  If you are taking the class at a different school, what grade do you need to transfer in the credits?  Does the grade transfer or just the credits?
• Have the mindset that this is for a short period of time and you will give it your all.
• Review the material every night after class. Save time on the weekends to do any major reading or projects.
• Schedule you life and other activities so that you have time for the work required.  If you know you are going away for a major trip in the middle of the course, don't take it.
• Go to every class!
• Be sure to focus on the positives of the experience and not the negatives.

Summer courses are a great experience and a great way to move your education forward.  Work hard and enjoy!
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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.