Why Summer Classes?

Summer is a time to catch up on sleep, lay in the sun, and binge-watch the shows you missed during the semester. Having no papers to write or tests to study for is a well deserved reward at the end of the spring semester. What could make a student trade sitting on the beach for sitting in a classroom?

Students take summer classes for a variety of reasons. “Students can utilize the summer sessions to speed up their academic progress, complete core requirements to make more room in the fall semester for major courses, or catch up on any academic requirements they may have missed in previous semesters,” Kaitlin Montijo, a promise coach, said. Alex Mitchell, senior dance major, graduating after three years, took summer courses “in order to get all of my core classes done in three years.” Without the summer credits, “I wouldn’t have been able to graduate,” Mitchell said.

Resisting summer fun while living at home instead of living in a dorm was something Mitchell had to face. “I definitely had a lot of moments where I would’ve rather been at the beach or hanging out with friends. I found it hard to concentrate at my house; there were a lot of distractions, one being the nice weather.” Class intensity was also difficult as a semester worth of coursework was crammed into a short session.

Aside from speeding up the academic process, students also take summer travel courses. “This is a great option for students who want to travel abroad and still gain that valuable experience without committing for a whole semester.” Montijo said. Emily Bivona, a junior dance major, received approval from the sociology department to participate in a trip to Iceland led by sociology Professor Brian Sweeney from June 3-13. “I was so excited to see the email notification from the dean of students telling me I was approved,” Bivona said. “Not only is this my first study abroad experience but also my first time leaving the country. Finances made it difficult for me to do so, however; traveling with a group of people outside of my family and being part of an educational program makes it all worthwhile.”

Summer sessions have their pros and cons. Opportunity to advance academically and travel is offered, but a homework-free break may be jeopardized. Mitchell said, “The fact that the sessions are shorter is a blessing and a curse because you do have a lot of work to do during those weeks but once it’s over, you walk away with the credits you need to get you where you need to be.”

Three summer sessions, each lasting six weeks, are offered from May 15 through August 25. According to the school website, “Classes are available during the morning, afternoon and evening from: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 1:15 to 5:15 p.m.; and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and run Monday through Friday.” “Students can take up to six credits per summer session,” Montijo said. To enroll, students can contact their promise coach or academic advisor. If preferred, students can enroll online.