Surviving Summer School

There is a big push to graduate with your bachelor's degree in 4 years - I get it, we all want to get where we are going. However, not everyone can juggle 15 units per semester while also working, managing family, and still somehow enjoying a moment of silence. One way to finish your college degree in 4 years, without drowning in homework, is to take a couple of summer courses.

When I was a student I for sure chose this option. Now as an English professor who always teaches in the summer, I know that it's best to go in prepared for the rigor of taking a class in less than half the time. Here are some tips on taking summer classes and doing well:

1. If you have a break between spring and summer — read ahead. Yes, I said it! Even if you only read a few weeks ahead, take the time to read the material, especially if you are taking a class that requires a lot of reading such as a literature course. Summer school goes by so quickly that you don’t have a lot of spare time to read lengthy material. I know it may seem like your professor is being mean, but they are required to assign you readings so you just have to learn to adapt to the situation. If you want to read ahead and the books aren't listed on the college bookstore website, kindly e-mail the instructor and ask: easy-peasy.
2. Plan vacations before and after summer school, not during. This may seem impossible and maybe it is for you, but if you have any way of not leaving town during your class, take that route. You are taking a class that was meant to be taken at a length between 10-16 weeks in a very condensed amount of time — don’t underestimate how quickly that time will fly by. Also, you don’t want to put a damper on your trip by having to do homework (or at least worrying about doing homework). If you go before or after your class you will have a much better vacation than if you take it during summer classes.
3. Do. NOT. Procrastinate. Seriously, I can’t stress this enough. Every week you need to make a plan and stick to it. It’s not like the normal semester where you can lounge around for a few days before beginning your assignments — you need to keep up with the routine and push on through! Make it a habit to use a calendar, planner, to-do list, or set reminders on your phone. I like to use a to-do list and set reminders.
4. On the same note, stop and make time for yourself and your family. Even (and especially) in a short summer session course you need to take a breather. Do not run yourself into the ground by staying up all hours of the night in order to finish the work. I know it may seem impossible to fit everything into your day but if you just work a little most days and a lot on a few days you will feel better and get everything done.
5. Don’t take the hardest class in your major (unless you have to). Seriously. I had this idea that if I took the hardest class by itself it would allow me to dedicate all of my time to the class. However, because there was such a rigid schedule I didn't even have time to have time! Keep in mind that even though the class is half or even one-quarter the length of a regular session class they still have to make sure to cover all of the student learning outcomes. Instead, take that difficult class in the semester you seem to do better in if possible (some people thrive in the fall and have trouble in the spring and vice versa).

In the end, if you don't finish your degree in 4 years, nobody will think less of you; It is an accomplishment to be proud of for sure, but it's not about the time it took you to get there, rather that you learned and are proud of all you accomplished. Yet, if you really do want to get it done, these summer school tips just might help!

What tips do you have for students wanting to take summer courses?

(previously posted on www.collegesuccessformoms.wordpress.com - but with some improvements)