Since most college students, including myself, have been looking forward to summer break and being able to relax since the first week of classes, the idea of more school work during the summer is not the most inviting idea. But grinding out a few credits in the summer months has quite a few benefits to itself. From solving boredom to expanding your knowledge, taking a summer course has plenty of positives to make it a valuable investment of your time.
1. They keep you occupied.
For some people, having nothing to do in the summer can drive them crazy. I would know, I am one of them. So why not be productive and tackle a course or two during the summer. Whether it is an online course or one at a local community college, a summer course will keep you occupied.
2. A summer class can help get you ahead in school or.........caught up.
Maybe you want to get ahead for the next year to lighten up your schedule. Maybe you were forced to drop a class and now you need to get caught up. Or perhaps you doubled up on majors and don't want to be stressed about finishing on time. Summer courses are your friend. They offer a less stressful and more relaxing way to get the credits you need to stay on track for your degree.
3. Summer classes keep you sharp.
If you're like me and lose all of the study skills that you accumulated over the school year once you've walked out of your last final, then you understand the struggle and the time it takes to get back on pace the next year. Summer classes can eliminate the strain of rediscovering your study habits.
4. You can test a major or minor to see if you like it.
Unsure if you want to switch your major, or scared you're gonna regret adding a minor or second major? Take a test run with a summer course to see if it's for you. Online classes and other local classes don't have to break the bank and are easily accessible. So, if you're on the edge about switching your major to art history, take a class over the summer and see if it's for you.
5. You can take classes in subjects outside your major.
On the other hand, if you are set on your major, but still have thriving interests in other subjects, summer courses can fuel your curiosities without taking up valuable time and credits during the school term. And since these classes, especially online courses, are relatively cheap, they are a great way to quench your interests.
