Alright, in my previous article “Summer Of Indecision (6 Things To Do In The Summer)" I recommended taking a summer class as something you could do this summer. The reasons I gave for taking a summer class were if you were behind on your degree, you could use it to catch up or you could take classes to help you graduate earlier. After taking three online classes this summer (still in one right now), I take it back. DO NOT TAKE SUMMER CLASSES. If you stress about your grades and getting all of your assignments completed on time and school just really stresses you out overall, do not do it. It will be a regrettable decision.

Summer is a time for relaxation, enjoying the sun and spending time your friends. It is a time to catch up on all things you could not do during the school year. Such as reading through that "must read" book list you wrote back in October, traveling to somewhere fun and exciting, or seeing old friends. Basically you are suppose to be doing things you actually want to do, not things you have to do. Summer is a perfect time to just sit and do absolutely nothing. You have no worries or cares in the world. You have three months to just breathe and enjoy life. However, if you take a summer class (or classes), these possibilities will no longer be in the cards for you this summer. Life will not feel as relaxing or carefree as it should during these months away from school. Instead, you'll be bogged down with the constant feeling of “I should be doing something right now" or plagued with constantly having to send your friends the text message “I have a test on Friday, so I have to study! Sorry I cannot hang out :( " which results in no fun being had on your part. However, if you are someone who does not need to do a lot of studying or does not care to complete every assignment then maybe a summer class would still be a good idea for you. Unfortunately for me, I am not that person and I have had to learn this the hard way.

Another point to be made about taking summer classes, which could be considered as a positive or negative, is that all the materials are crammed into a few short weeks. I have been taking a couple of classes through the local university near where I live that have been only five weeks long. Additional to those, I am taking another online course through the university that I attend but this class is eight weeks long. I love the fact that the other classes have been five weeks because that meant that they would end quicker. Furthermore, these classes allowed me to finish the course material in less than half the time it would usually take to complete during a regular 16 week semester. I am sure everyone can appreciate how nice a five-week course is compared to a 16-week course! The only issue that may arise from this shortened duration is that those five weeks do not leave you with a whole lot of room to slack or “takeoff" assignments. This could be considered a major downside. During the summer, doing homework and studying for tests are the farthest things from your mind. However, missing a few assignments or bombing a test can have a big impact on your grade. Due to their being less time to cover the materials, that results in their being less assignments and tests. The fewer materials you have to turn in, the smaller the cushion for your grade gets. It could potentially put a huge damper on your summer.

So my recommendation to you is to not take summer classes. Sure, it will be nice once you have them completed and yeah, you will not have to take them during the school year but I just do not think it is worth it. You stress enough during the school year, summertime is supposed to be your time for recovery and to just enjoy life. Take my advice, appreciate the sunshine and good weather while you can!