Half of the students at University Montana during Winter Session rise before the sun to trudge to class in the dark. The other half make it home as the sun begins to set. Though winters in Montana are long, and the days are short, Winter Session doesn’t have to be a death sentence.
A Winter Session-er myself, I can attest to the overt pros and cons of taking an accelerated class when I could just as easily sit around in my pajamas until 3 p.m. and watch the snow cover my unridden bike. While I’m not sure why our school has chosen to extend winter break and give students a three-week class option, one reason might be to give the students brave enough to commute during the coldest month of the year an opportunity to get ahead of their credits. Every student is different, yet each has chosen to take classes for three weeks between fall and spring semester; they must have chosen for a reason. Whether they regret that decision is yet to be determined.
Cons
The Weather
In the two weeks I was home for Christmas, I regretted leaving the Montana snow behind. I’ve realized upon returning to Montana that the snow isn’t going anywhere. The months of snow accumulation have made my trek to class a slippery and dangerous one.
The Early Start
I get up early enough to watch the suburban deer take their morning crap on my neighbor’s lawn when they think no one is watching. I'm on campus so early that the coffee I purchase at the UC Market is most likely from the first pot brewed that day.
The Long Days
Getting an early start means more time for activities. When those activities consist of a four and a half hour class followed by whatever job a person might have, little time is left to oneself.
The Intensity of the Class
A three-week class (or in my case, two-week due to the nature of the subject), has to cover a semester's worth of material in a much shorter amount of time. The coursework is intense and time-consuming.
Pros
The Weather
Not only are winters in Montana are breathtaking, countless outdoor recreation destinations lie just outside the city limits. Snowshoeing in the Rattlesnake is a mere 20-minute drive away.
The Early Start
This is both a blessing and a curse. While I love sleep more than almost anything on this planet, I always feel most productive if I start my day early. My 8 a.m. class ensures I don’t miss out on everything the early morning has to offer. Then, once class is over, the rest of the day is mine.
The People
The students who take winter classes are the ones that have chosen to give up their free time to gain a credit. They’re dedicated to the subject and expect to work hard. This attitude creates an environment for hearty discussion and diving headfirst into a subject.
The Tuition
Winter Session is considered an extension of spring semester. This means the tuition is also wrapped up into spring semester, giving students the opportunity to earn an entire class credit without paying anything more than they already pay for the spring.
