Very few people are willing to part with even a few hours of their winter break, let alone three whole weeks of it. This January, I decided to take a winter math class in finite mathematical structures and combinatorics to finish all of my math requirement for my major in my first year of college.

Plenty of people thought that it was crazy to choose to be in school when I didn't have to be, but there are plenty of perks of going to school between semesters that they have not taken into account.

1. The class sizes are smaller

My class contains just under 20 students and is the first class that I have taken since high school that has taken place in a small classroom rather than a large lecture hall. This allows everyone in my class to participate and ask questions throughout our lecture in order to understand everything better.

2. It is easier to focus

During winter session, you can take a maximum of four credits or one class. This allows you to focus completely on that one course instead of splitting your attention between four or five subjects as is necessary during the fall or winter semester. On top of that, almost no one is on campus so there are not too many social activities to distract you from school work.

3. You can get ahead or catch up on your degree requirements

Winter session can allow you more flexibility in your later semesters by helping you get ahead, or if you did not do well in a course, you can take it again without negatively affecting your degree progress.

4. The class only lasts three weeks

Three or four credits in three weeks is pretty impressive considering a semester is usually fifteen weeks without including finals. During winter, if you have midterms or finals, they take place during the allotted class time for that day.

For people who enjoy a fast-paced class, or if you are like me and have a short attention span, this is an added perk because winter classes tend to cover about a week's worth of material each day, with a short break in the middle depending on your professor.

5. There are fewer homework assignments

My math class consists of only three homework assignments, one due each week. The questions are very similar to those done during class time, and the professor and TA both have office hours during the week if we need help.

6. Every weekend is a three-day weekend

We have every Monday off during winter session, which means every weekend is a three day weekend. This allows you an extra day to relax or catch up on work and means that you are only in class for 12 days.

7. Most of the on-campus facilities are empty

The gym, food courts, Starbucks, and all sorts of other places are absolutely empty when the fall and spring semesters aren't in session, so you can take advantage of all sorts of cool stuff on campus that it usually too crowded.