Although most students enjoy taking a break from school during the summer for fun in the sun and recuperating from a long spring semester, I enjoy taking summer classes for many reasons.

1. It prepares you for the Fall semester

At some point or another, whether it be in high school or college, almost everyone has felt the struggle of going back to school after a long summer break. It is hard to get back into an early morning routine and your study habits. If you choose to stay enrolled in a class or two during the summer months, you can fight the “back-to-school scaries” and never miss a beat.

2. Focus on challenging courses

Every student has a handful of courses that require lots of extra time and effort. During the fall and spring semesters, when you have a full schedule of classes and extra-curricular activities, it can be hard to devote enough time to studying. If you opt to take these more difficult classes during the summer semester, you can dedicate your studying time to one or two tough classes rather than a full-time course schedule.

Additionally, with smaller class sizes and fewer classes being offered, you can get more one-on-one help from your professor. 

3. Campuses are less crowded

If you are tired of fighting crowds at restaurants and dealing with tons of traffic during the school year, then staying in your college town during the summer might be right up your alley. With most of your peers gone home, studying abroad, or working during the summer, you will have the opportunity to experience your college town in a different way. This is a great opportunity to try new places and activities that are usually too crowded.

4. Graduate early

If you are studying to obtain a degree that will take you longer than the average four years to complete, taking summer classes might be a great option for you. Not only will this allow you to graduate early or on time, but summer tuition is often cheaper than fall and spring fees. In the long run, you will be in the workforce sooner and can save money by graduating ahead of schedule.

If you are on track to graduate on time but want to stay over the summer and take a few classes, it is a great idea to look into adding a minor. Many schools offer minors that only take a few extra classes to obtain, and this will boost your resume and set you apart from other candidates in the job field post-graduation.

5. Easier Enrollment

If you attend a large university, like Auburn, it can be hard to get a spot in certain classes that are very popular. I always struggle with getting the classes that I prefer to take. During the summer, due to the much smaller number of students trying to enroll, it is much easier to get the classes you want and need. Next time you're hopelessly trying to schedule your classes, try taking some of them in the summer.

All in all, I personally, believe that there are many perks to taking classes during the summer. If you're considering staying on campus for the summer, you should give it a try!

Stay smart and studious, and…

Be Well, Auburn.