Why Every College Student Should Try Taking An 8-Week Mini-Semester | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why Every College Student Should Try Taking An 8-Week Mini-Semester

Why sit through a 16 week class when you can do it in half the time?

2010
Why Every College Student Should Try Taking An 8-Week Mini-Semester
Josefa nDiaz

This past week, I completed my final exam and paper for my first-ever mini college class. If you don’t know what that is, I am about to change your life. Many colleges offer eight-week long “mini-semesters” where you can complete a class in half the time it would normally take. These classes are usually taken online and most of time they pair with another 8 week class of similar studies. So, one may take American History 1 for the first half of the semester and American History 2 for the second half (like I’m doing).

These mini-semesters are honestly one of the coolest things about academic life in college for a couple reasons. They are usually less expensive so you can take more classes in one semester and you can get more credits done in a semester. These mini-terms are most of the time still anywhere from 2-4 credits, and by taking them you can fit more credits in. (This could possibly lead to early graduation!)

Another reason why I love them is that, depending on the timing, you can get a mini-break in between the two classes. I have a whole week off from my History classes this week, plus Spring Break is only two weeks away! It’s almost like a mini Spring Break and I get to still have a full one too!

Mini-session courses include an accelerated learning situation in which students can focus intensively on course subject matter and provide greater flexibility in scheduling classes. With the shorter formats offered between semesters, students use this time to take a prerequisite for a course needed in an upcoming semester, take a course that will advance them closer to degree completion or they take this opportunity to lighten the load for the regular semester. Taking these classes during the summer is also a great choice if you want to get ahead for the next school year!

One concern I had before going into this semester was, How is the workload going to be? Obviously, it’s going to be more work per week because you have to basically cut your class in half, but it’s nothing that any regular student couldn’t handle. If you are thinking about taking a mini class, you have to evaluate your schedule first and decide how much time per week you can actually devote to studying and completing assignments. I found during my first mini-semester of American History that I would have about three chapters to read, an online quiz program on each chapter, some short videos to watch, and then either a discussion board or short essay assignment each week (plus two separate weeks for the midterm and final exams).

I hope that this provides some clarification on what exactly I went through during my first 8-week mini-semester and I honestly loved it so much more than a traditional 16-week class. It has allowed me to finish all of my history requirements in one semester so I don’t have to worry about forgetting everything I learned over the summer. It also allowed me so much flexibility because I didn’t have to go sit in class twice a week and I could complete assignments on my own time throughout the week.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

146310
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

36099
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

32015
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments