I may not be legally bound by my online summer course, but it sure feels that way. I am currently halfway through a month of summer session class at a local community school. I took it to get a little ahead in my credits and to round out some of my common core. I knew it would take a lot of my time and some motivation to keep working, but I didn’t think it would take up a decent portion of my days.
My class involves reading four chapters a week and taking a quiz after reading each chapter. I also have a timed exam after each week on what we covered. I have an instructor, but usually it’s me teaching myself the information and hoping for the best. Teaching yourself once in a while isn’t a bad thing, but it loses its appeal if you have to teach yourself everything when it comes to a lesson all the time.
Summer classes can also get expensive. I wasn’t told exactly how much my class would be until I signed up for it, and the price caught my eye. It’s harder to get financial aid for the summer and not really worth it if you’re only taking one course, but money should still be a deciding factor.
There are benefits to taking an online class that, for me, outweigh the drawbacks. I don’t have to worry about being late for class as you can work at your own pace as long as you meet the deadlines. I also don’t have to worry about getting things done for other classes. Another positive side is getting credits during the summer.
Completing this summer course gives me a little more leeway when it comes to crafting my next class schedule. Common core lessons are hard to get through and I don’t want them to stop me from taking the most important lessons I need to take. I’m a double major, so it’s especially important to have enough time and space in my schedule to meet both of my major’s requirements.
In the end, summer sessions are not ideal for everyone. I am not currently working and sometimes struggle to find time to complete all my assignments. I will be starting work soon and that will only make it more difficult. So for someone who works a lot in the summer, a course probably isn’t the best idea. On the other hand, for someone who has the time and wants to get ahead in school, a summer school can be a good investment.
If you have the motivation, the money, and most importantly, the time, taking a summer school isn’t the worst way to spend part of your college vacation.