Absolutely nothing is worse than finishing your finals and thinking you are free from schoolwork only to hear that you have to take a summer class. After working hard all year, all a student wants is a summer to relax, maybe get a job, and spend some quality time with friends. Taking a summer class can be a total bummer, but here are some hints at how to crack the code of dominating your summer class.
1. Try to do some work every day.
Yes, you hear this during the school year too, but for a summer class, it is even more important. Staying on top of your work is a part of being a responsible college student. Even though learning about the Founding Fathers or quadratic equations in July may be a drag, it will only help you long-term with your end grade in the class.
2. Turn in your assignments on time!
During the summer, it is probably that you will have more time. Use this time to make sure our assignments are turned in by the due date. Unlike during the school year where you might miss a deadline for some reasonable problem, students have less excuses for late work over the summer and your professor may not be forgiving about tardy assignments over the summer.
3. If you are going on vacation, get ahead of your work.
Do not let your school work get in the way of you having a blast on vacation. The week prior to leaving, try to get ahead on those assignments (and maybe do one extra!) and turn them in early. Coming back from vacation and having to automatically launch into homework is exhausting and leaves you no time to decompress after a long car ride or flight. There is no reason to stress over work when you can get ahead of it before leaving on that week-long beach getaway or touring through a new country. Believe me, you will thank yourself after your trip when you are not coming back to 8 power points, 2 essays, and 6 worksheets.
4. If you have to go to a testing center to take your midterm/final, schedule it.
Whether you are taking your course through your own university or through a community college near your house, find out if you will have to go in to a testing center to take your exams. Some lucky students are able to take their exams online at home, but the unlucky ones are required to commute to take a proctored exam. If you identify with the latter, find out where the testing center is and allow ample time to drive there. You don’t want to be late for an exam. Make sure that the day you have to take it, is relatively free, for you don’t want to be rushing through your 12 PM exam in order to make that 2:30 PM doctor’s appointment in another county. Summer is a great time to make plans with friends or run errands to prep for the next school year, but keeping your exam days free is always a good idea. Plus, after your exam, you are free to veg out!
5. Turn to email if you have questions.
Summer classes can be tricky. Especially if you are taking it online, your class may require you to download special software or a new program onto your computer. Figuring out due dates, instructions for assignments, or just general tasks can be difficult when you can not see your professor in person to ask questions. If you are one of those taking an online class, ALWAYS email your professor if you have questions. It is better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully your professor will answer in a timely manner, but, if not, do not hesitate to call their office (their number should be on the online syllabus). If you have them, questions in class is imperative to your success in a course, whether it be in a huge lecture hall or online.
Right now it may seem that your summer class is really killing your ‘summer vibes,’ but don’t let it get you down! There are many positives about taking a summer course. For example, you get those college credits out of the way and you are one step closer to earning the degree you desire! Remember- even though it is summer, this class will most likely go on your transcript, so it is important to take it seriously. If you budget your time wisely and stay on top of the work, your summer class will definitely pay off without interfering with your ‘fun times and tan lines.’
Happy summer!
