Summer break can be a time to relax, play outside and recharge before fall term begins. However, for some folks, summer can be a time to get closer to their goals and degrees by enrolling in summer courses.
Summer classes are right for certain students for their long-term success and wrong for others. Why someone should take summer classes can vary depending on the individual. Fortunately, you don’t have to pick just one, many students balance internships and a part-time job during the warmer months.
“Summer may offer a less intense time to study, so you might find that the reduced pressure is conducive to enjoying classes with fewer students or with fewer competing demands,” said Greg Lyons, professor at COCC.
“You still have eight weeks of summer to spend on such activities as work, travel, and/or family get-togethers before classes begin again in fall quarter,” said Lyons.
Lyons noted the average time for completing an AA degree at COCC is about three years. Completing one or two classes in the summer can bring a student closer to finishing a degree or a particular study program.
- Shorter semester
- Graduate faster
- Smaller class sizes available
- More flexible schedules
- Summer classes are eligible for financial aid
- Higher risk of burnout
- Less available courses
- Library closes at 3 p.m.
- Scholarships are not usually eligible
For more information on summer classes at COCC, this page.
Serena Zohbe Garcia
Reporter
