Summer time is finally here! And while I'm happy to be able to relax and enjoy this great weather we are having (sarcasm), I also have another duty to fulfill during the break: summer courses.

While summer courses require a lot less time and effort than regular college courses, which depends on if you're taking an elective or an actual class within your major, there are still grades, homework and even tests or quizzes to do to occupy most of your time.

It's the best when the course that you are taking is online (I've noticed that online courses are significantly less work than regular in class courses, which require you to go to the college campus and be there for 2 to 3 hours). It's also great when the course has discussion posts online through Canvas, allowing you to accumulate easy points (often) by posting your opinion about a topic or subject.

For example, I am taking a United States History course, set during the time period after World War II when Harry S. Truman comes into power after Franklin D. Roosevelt dies during his presidency. One of my first assignments was to comment on an official United States Government document, talking about the American perspectives and anxiety after the great World War II. I really enjoy looking at how American Society, perspective and choices changed during the rise of democracy and the Rise of communism in Russia, leading up to the Cold War, which is a very bleak time period filled with espionage and secrecy within not only Russia but also our country, with undercover spies and double agents and the KGB (Komitet Gosudarstvennoi Bezopanosti of the Soviet Union).

But whether your interest lies in History, Science, the Arts, Business, or Education, there are a ton of options to choose from, along with a ton of credits you can accumulate before hitting 60 credits, which at least at Rider University, the school makes you then take courses with a 4 year institution instead of at a local community college. Many of my friends chose to start taking courses after the end of freshman year, so for those reading this who are going to be freshmen or were just freshmen, you can accumulate more credits over the summer by taking courses. It doesn't have to be super difficult ones either, so keep that in mind when selecting those specific courses. It would also be a good idea to map out your 4 year plan with summer courses in mind and to make sure you don't end up taking the same or similar courses you already completed.