Registration for summer classes at Parkland is currently underway as students are making their plans for June and July. While some students choose to take the two months completely off from school, others choose to spend the summer illuminating their minds in the classroom.
There are various reasons that students take summer classes, including–but not limited to–getting ahead on their credit hours, lightening their fall and spring schedules, or simply staying engaged with their education.
Despite the desire to get ahead in their education, students may find it difficult at times to stay motivated during the summer and keep up with the accelerated pace of the courses. Below are a few tips and strategies from a couple of academic advisors at Parkland on how students can make the most of their experiences in summer courses.
Choosing Summer Classes Wisely
There are steps students can take during the registration process to increase their chances of staying motivated during summer courses. Daniel Driscoll, an academic advisor in the LAS department, suggests only taking 1 or 2 courses during the summer, as these courses are more accelerated and students will therefore really need to buckle down and study for those 4, 6, or 8 weeks that the classes are taking place. “The classes are still covering the same amount of information as a full 16-week course,” Driscoll said. “Students should still enjoy part of their time off to prevent burnout.”
Additionally, Megan Wallenius–another LAS academic advisor–mentioned how it can be beneficial for students to try to choose their summer courses in a subject that they are confident in, which–from her experience–often helps them to stay motivated. “Some students choose something that is in their wheelhouse and something that they’re more confident in, and they get a little bit of a break,” she said. A course that is a student’s strong suite and that they are naturally good at can require a little less time and effort than a course that is more of a challenge, which often helps to lighten the stress.
Another factor that students should consider is whether they want to take their summer classes online or on campus, and which option is best for them. Many of the general education classes this summer at Parkland are offered both online and in person, while some classes are only offered in person. Driscoll advises students to be diligent when deciding which option to choose. “If a student is traveling or working a lot and cannot come to an in-person class, then the online option is great for them,” he said. He also noted that some students perform better in-person than online, and vice versa, and it is crucial to take that into consideration as well.
Time Management in Summer Classes
Since summer courses run on condensed schedules and are therefore more accelerated, it is especially important for students to stick to a schedule and plan out their study time efficiently. Driscoll stressed how important it is to plan ahead. “I recommend spacing the work out by planning when you will do the assignments for that week and working on assignments at the same time every day,” he said. Wallenius agreed with this advice. “I would encourage students to look at their calendar and schedule homework and study time, and also take advantage of tutoring on campus and come use our study areas,” she said.
Furthermore, even though procrastinating is not a good habit to be in during any college course, it is especially a harmful habit to engage in during summer courses due to the quicker pace. “A common misconception about summer classes is that the work can be done all at once the night before it is due,” Driscoll said. “This makes the class incredibly challenging, and–if the work is not done well–difficult to recover from.”
Taking summer classes undoubtedly comes with challenges. Balancing an intense, fast-paced course or two on top of scheduling in summer vacations and time with friends and family can be difficult. The key to a successful summer is balance: mixing studies with the well-deserved leisure of the season. By choosing classes wisely and practicing good time management, students can make the most of their experiences.
