The Pros And Cons Of Taking Summer Classes | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Pros And Cons Of Taking Summer Classes

Should you, or should you not?

644
The Pros And Cons Of Taking Summer Classes

It's a hot summer day and all you're thinking about is going to the beach with your friends until you realize you can't.

You can't because out of all your friends, you were the only one who decided to take on summer classes.

For those thinking of taking summer classes, there are some pros and cons.

Pro: You can get ahead/stay on track of your graduation time.

By taking classes over the summer, you can minimize the number of classes you need to take in fall or the upcoming spring, and you can also minimize the time you have left in school.

Con: It can get expensive.

Unless you're taking summer classes at your local community college, the costs for summer classes can be expensive. There is always financial aid, but depending on how your university works, not all schools offer financial aid or only have a certain amount of funds to give to students for summer.

Pro: You'll stay focused throughout the whole entire year.

Because you won't get a break from school, you'll have that focus in you by the time the fall semester rolls around. While others will have to adjust to learning how to use their pens and pencils again, you'll be breezing through the first few days of school.

Con: Sometimes having a break is better.

Depending on how many summer classes you need to be taking, it might not be the best idea to load up on them. College students have enough stress surrounding them for almost an entire year that it may be a good idea to give yourself a break. Plus it's summertime, you don't want to miss out on beach days, weddings, fairs, and all the fun activities you could be enjoying with friends and family. Having a break can also help with giving your brain a break and clearing your mind to figure out your next steps in life.

Pro: You can take online classes.

The beauty of summer classes is that a lot of them are online. This means not having to show up to campus, doing work on your own time, and the ability to do your work at home or basically anywhere with Wi-Fi.

Con: Online classes aren't for everybody.

The problem with online classes isn't the fact that they are online, it's that its effectiveness really depends on the type of student you are while taking them. If you know you procrastinate or can't focus at home, online classes may not be for you. Though most people assume that a lot of online classes are easy lower-division classes, there are many upper-division classes. I can tell you from experience that most of the online upper-division classes aren't just answering online class discussions. In general, upper-division classes expect a lot of reading and writing and that's exactly how the online classes are as well. Also, if you need a direct, personal explanation from the professor on what he/she expects from your upcoming 10-page paper, then you probably don't want to take an online class. Most professors communicate via email and don't hold office hours on campus.


Whether or not you plan on taking summer classes, make sure to go out and have a little fun. Life is too short and though education is important, it is also crucial to keep your mind healthy and clear without the stress.

Enjoy your summer!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
ross geller
YouTube

As college students, we are all familiar with the horror show that is course registration week. Whether you are an incoming freshman or selecting classes for your last semester, I am certain that you can relate to how traumatic this can be.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

Bonus points if it is more than two.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

12 Things I Learned my Freshmen Year of College

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

3180
friends

Whether you're commuting or dorming, your first year of college is a huge adjustment. The transition from living with parents to being on my own was an experience I couldn't have even imagined- both a good and a bad thing. Here's a personal archive of a few of the things I learned after going away for the first time.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Economic Benefits of Higher Wages

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

302196
Illistrated image of people crowded with banners to support a cause
StableDiffusion

Raising the minimum wage to a livable wage would not only benefit workers and their families, it would also have positive impacts on the economy and society. Studies have shown that by increasing the minimum wage, poverty and inequality can be reduced by enabling workers to meet their basic needs and reducing income disparities.

I come from a low-income family. A family, like many others in the United States, which has lived paycheck to paycheck. My family and other families in my community have been trying to make ends meet by living on the minimum wage. We are proof that it doesn't work.

Keep Reading...Show less
blank paper
Allena Tapia

As an English Major in college, I have a lot of writing and especially creative writing pieces that I work on throughout the semester and sometimes, I'll find it hard to get the motivation to type a few pages and the thought process that goes behind it. These are eleven thoughts that I have as a writer while writing my stories.

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate

Every college student knows and understands the struggle of forcing themselves to continue to care about school. Between the piles of homework, the hours of studying and the painfully long lectures, the desire to dropout is something that is constantly weighing on each and every one of us, but the glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel helps to keep us motivated. While we are somehow managing to stay enrolled and (semi) alert, that does not mean that our inner-demons aren't telling us otherwise, and who is better to explain inner-demons than the beloved April Ludgate herself? Because of her dark-spirit and lack of filter, April has successfully been able to describe the emotional roller-coaster that is college on at least 13 different occasions and here they are.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments