Dear Summer Student,
So you think your summer class is going to be easy. Sure, you are taking that general ed that you have needed since Freshman year but have been pushing off, because you are saving your "easy classes for the summer". So while you are pretending to study for your Intro to Whatever class but are really at happy hour on a Tuesday, just remember a few things:
1. This is still a class that counts towards your GPA.
Okay, so this class is way easier than anything you are used to taking in the Fall or Spring Semesters. But do not let that fool you: this class counts just as much as any of those other classes do. Also, remember that professors are just as available as they are during the real school year. If you find yourself slipping behind, be honest and reach out to your professors. Chances are, they are going to be willing to help you, not only because you actually reached out and emailed or came to office hours, but also because summer classes tend to have smaller enrollment, so they have more time to invest in your understanding of their class. They also might actually know your name for once.
2. Time management is key.
Just because your class is not until 6 P.M. and is only two days a week, does not give you an excuse to leave your reading and work to the last hour before the next class session. Make sure you space out your work so that you still have time to enjoy your break. Having class only a couple of days out of the week either works for you or against you: you either learn to space your work out wisely, and do sections and parts whenever you can instead of all at once, or you find yourself cramming all of your work in to the 15 minutes before class starts while you are trying to get dressed at the same time because you slept until 3 P.M. A study done by DailyMail and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) showed that cramming all of your work, whether you are pulling an all-nighter or just rushing to get it done before class time, it poorly affects how your performance is in class following the rushed work. So either get your work done and impress your professor with how prepared you are, or be anxious because you finished the homework as he was collecting it: it's your call.
3. Summer is still summer.
Do not let the term "summer school" scare you. Your summer is still your summer. This still means that you are allowed to enjoy yourself. Go out, tan, and countdown to the 4th of July like the rest of the world. You are allowed to. Do not let yourself hermit inside of your room while the weather is beyond decent (extremely humid, but decent). Take your books to the pool and do your work while laying out on the Mall. Or, if you are really daring, bring your flashcards to happy hour. Summer is still a time for you to take a breather, and break away from the hustle and bustle of fall and spring.
With that said, enjoy your classes! Summer classes are a great opportunity to spend more time focused on one or a few subjects, instead of balancing four or five classes, and get to know professors better than you had before. And, you are getting ahead on your credits--10 points for you.
