Many students take a long-deserved break after spring quarter ends. Others, like myself, instead decide to take summer classes. Students do this for a variety of reasons, whether it's to catch up on required classes to graduate on time, or to try and get that prerequisite for a class that is only offered in the fall. There are various reasons to take or not take summer classes, and here they are:
Pros:
1. Class size.
The first and obvious plus of taking summer classes is the clearly smaller class sizes. This is largely due in part to so many students just not taking summer classes. This means more one-on-one time with your professors, and a closer-knit class.
2. Registering.
Since there are so few people taking classes over summer, registering for a class is a lot easier, not to mention a lot less stressful. That impossible class you can never get into? Well, over the summer, that isn't a problem.
3. The weather.
Since it is the summertime, the weather is also a nice bonus. It's never freezing, and for the most part it's sunny. And let's not forget that the days are longer, which helps you stay up on those late nights studying and doing homework.
4. Getting lunch.
With so few people on campus, getting lunch is a cinch. Literally, there are little to no lines ever for on-campus eating.
5. All the on-campus resources are yours.
Have you ever been annoyed that the library computer lab was completely occupied? How about finding an empty classroom to study in? That's not a problem in the summer. All because, again, no one is really on campus.
Cons:
1. Quarter length.
One of the biggest downsides is the shorter quarters. Some classes are only six weeks, while others are nine weeks. For nine weeks, that means say goodbye to dead week. Also you don't have a week dedicated to finals. It's like the last two weeks are taken off, and the final is replacing the day before dead week, then you're done. Don't even get me started on six-week quarters -- that means twice the class time and half the time to do your homework. If you're taking a lab class, prepare to have a lab twice a week.
2. Scheduling.
Although getting into classes may be easier, the same isn't exactly true for scheduling your classes. See, since it is summertime, only one class of every type is offered; there is only one Physics 163, only one Art 103, and so on. So that means that if you want to take more than one class, you may end up with one super early in the morning and one quite late in the afternoon.
3. The weather.
The weather is as much a blessing as it is a curse. Yes, it is nice, which makes walking to classes more pleasant, but at the same time that means you are missing out on that nice weather while you are inside taking classes.
4. Getting lunch.
Yes, getting lunch is a hassle-free ordeal, but it also means there is no one to eat with. So prepare to be eating alone in an empty cafeteria with no one to talk to.
5. There are just fewer resources in general.
Although it makes sense that staffing is lacking in the summer, it still doesn't make it a good thing. Especially when on-campus meal times are more limited, and the hours for services like on-campus eateries such as Subway and the library have extremely short hours. It's just better to get food at home, and do homework there, too, since everything closes super early.
Summer classes can be a more relaxed environment. But simultaneously, it can be significantly more stressful, all depending on how many classes you decide to take. My best recommendation is to take at most 10 credits over the summer. Otherwise, you're going to regret it.
