Most summers I work with small children at an awesome sleep-away camp on a mountain in Georgia. Unfortunately, due to life happenings, I was unable to do so this summer. I then decided I needed something productive to do with my time so I wouldn't turn into a total sloth. (Cute animals, but I can't do that look justice.) I was only five classes shy of graduating in May, so I decided to knock them out this summer.

Here are some things I have learned these past two months in the 'dreaded' summer classes.

1. Fewer people in each class.

This is great because your class will become an amazing little family during the course of four weeks. You will talk to people you may have never spoken to before, and you may even broaden your horizons. This also means that the class tends to be more relaxed. Instead of sitting through a teacher lecture, you have a chance to participate in a more open discussion.

2. Sometimes they are easier.

Summer classes are generally easier. Yes, you are covering material in a month instead of a full semester, but (most) teachers understand that and are willing to work to make the load more bearable. For example, in my summer science lab we are having a "Summer Science Film Festival," as Doc Nelson calls it. "After sitting in class for two hours, no one wants to do any work, so how about we just watch documentaries for credit and then talk about them?" Sounds great to me, and lab has quickly become my favorite class.

3. They will help you graduate faster/on time/etc.

Summer classes are a great way to get closer or back on track to your desired graduation date - especially if you have changed your major a bazillion times. They are also great for when scholarships begin to run out after a time period, because student loans are no fun.

4. No one cares what you wear...well, within reason.

This may not apply as much to some majors, but it is FANTASTIC to walk into an education class wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt rather than forcing yourself to dress 'professionally' or at least 'semi-casual.' As a matter of fact, you can just shower the night before and go ahead and put on the outfit of the day. I promise no one else is going to judge you for this. They are probably doing the same thing.

5. Summer classes can be cheaper.

Depending on what school you go to, summer classes can be cheaper than fall or spring semester. A full load (13 hours) of classes at my school is about a fifth of the price of regular tuition during the year - plus, you don't have to pay for any meals in the cafe that you won't eat!

6. You won't be as shocked when you go back to school in the fall.

Anyone ever go back to school and get awful hand cramps because you hadn't written very much in a while, or just get overwhelmed because you forgot how to 'school' completely? Or the worst, forgot everything you knew about anything math related and had to relearn the old stuff quickly so you could learn the new stuff? Well, with summer classes you don't do that routine come fall, you just keep trucking along - even if all you took was one or two classes.

7. You don't have to drive around searching for parking.

There aren't nearly as many people during summer classes, so if you are taking an in-person class, parking feels magical. You don't have to drive around for spots; and when it decides to rain, you can even grab spots close to your classes if they are available, which is fantastic.

All in all this summer has been AMAZING, and I am mentally beating myself for not taking any summer classes earlier than this year.