One common question that students ask is whether or not they should take summer classes in college. Although the answer depends on the particular student and their goals, there are two pros and two cons that should be considered.
Pro: You Can Graduate Faster
The biggest pro when it comes to taking summer classes in college is the ability to graduate faster. This obviously can have big benefits for your career as well as your budget. If you want to get into the job field faster, summer classes can be an excellent option.
It’s also a solid choice if you failed a class or received a poor grade and want to retake the course. It allows you to tackle that class and up your GPA in the process.
Summer classes can also help a student to get pre-requisite courses out of the way. In some cases, a student may not be able to take a fall class unless they took a pre-requisite class in the spring or summer. If you missed spring, summer can be your best bet to catch up or you may have to wait an entire year to take that fall class.
Con: You Have Less Time for Work or Internships (Or Yourself)
Summer is a time when many college students focus on a job for extra cash and tuition payments or look to get experience under their belt with an internship. If you’re taking summer courses, you may not have the time or energy to complete these two choices. This means less work experience or fewer networking opportunities upon graduation.
Students also look towards the summer as a chance to recharge for the semester ahead. There is no time for a break if you’re tackling summer classes.
Pro: Helps Your Education
When you head back to college in the fall, getting back into the swing of things can take time. You may have messed up your sleeping schedule during the summer break. Or forgotten necessary information for your courses. Maybe you just have a hard time focusing on studying.
Summer courses allow you to continue your study habits year-round, meaning there is no adjustment period come fall.
Con: Financial Aid Doesn’t Always Cover Summer Courses
If you rely on federal financial aid to attend college, you may not be able to attend summer courses unless you pay out of pocket. Private loans or other financial aid options however may cover the classes, so if you’re set on taking these courses and need financial aid, you’ll want to thoroughly explore your options before making a final decision.
Should You Take Summer Classes in College?
There are definitely two sides of the coin when it comes to summer classes and it really depends on your individual situation and goals. If you’re struggling on deciding, try making your own list of pros and cons.
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