Thinking of Taking Summer Classes? Here’s What You Need to Know
Summer is an excellent time to relax, hang out with friends, go for a swim at the beach, and travel. But for those in college, summer can also be a highly productive time for you to learn some new skills and expand your knowledge. So in-between your thrilling adventures traveling and recharging, consider earning extra credits toward your degree by enrolling in summer courses.
Benefits of enrolling in summer courses
When deciding on whether or not to register for summer courses, many students ask themselves, “are summer classes with it?” Although you may look at the summer months as a way to take a break from school, enrolling in courses has many benefits. So, are these classes worth it? We say yes! Here are some compelling reasons why you should take courses during summer semester:
1) Complete a prerequisite or core class
Regardless of what your major is, most everyone has to complete prerequisite and core courses. While these classes are necessary and important for foundational knowledge, they are often not the most exciting of courses — this is especially true for classes that are required for everyone at the university and not just your major. If you’re feeling uninspired by these, it’s best to get them out of the way early on so you can begin taking the courses that appeal to you.
Summer is a great time to knock off some prerequisite or core classes. When you take these during the summer session, you open up space in your Fall or Spring academic calendar to take a course that you’ve been dying to enroll in. Prerequisite and core courses also tend to fill up quickly during the year — summer semester is a wonderful way to take these classes without waiting on a waitlist, while also having the chance to choose your desired professor.
2) Retake a course
If you’re unsatisfied with the grade you received in a specific course, or you need to raise your GPA, use the summer time to catch up and retake the class. Taking it during the summer months allows you to get it out of the way without slowing down your schedule during the Fall or Spring semesters. For more difficult courses, this will also give you more time to focus on what was challenging for you so you can better understand the material.
3) Earn additional credentials
Taking classes over the summer can earn you credits for more than just your major. Maybe you want to double major but don’t want to extend your time in college. Or you might be interested in another minor or certificate. Whatever your end goal is, summer semester may allow you to stack up on credits that you don’t have room or time for during the Fall or Spring semester. You’ll walk away with an enhanced final degree, starting your job search on a strong note.
4) Take advantage of small class sizes
Every major has those highly desired courses that everyone wants to get into or that everyone needs to take in order to graduate — the problem is, they fill up incredibly quickly the moment registration for the Fall or Spring opens up. Luckily for you, the majority of summer courses have lower enrollment than the same exact class during the regular year. This means you’re not only more likely to get a spot in that course, but you’ll also have a smaller class size.
Having a smaller class size can be an advantage to many students itself. Lower enrollment and smaller classes allow for a higher level of discussion among peers. Everyone in the class will have the opportunity to voice their opinion, ask in-depth questions, participate in classroom debates, and get involved with the coursework resulting in strong retention and understanding. When classes are small, students and instructors can also get to know one other better. Should you need extra help or support, it may be easier to get individualized attention in a small classroom setting.
5) Concentrate on a difficult subject
It’s natural to have some anxiety over classes, especially for those more difficult subjects. Instead of trying to handle a hard class during the semester when you have a full course load, clubs, and possibly work, tackle it during the summer.
By only taking one or two classes during the summer session, you’re able to give them your full attention without trying to juggle exams and projects for other subjects. Because you won’t have to split your study time between multiple courses, you can now concentrate on mastering the material of something a bit challenging.
6) Graduate early
If you’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and want to jump start your career, consider taking summer classes to graduate early. Although it may be engraved in your mind that college should take four years to complete and that courses should only be taken during the academic school year, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to a traditional path. You may even be surprised to learn that students who graduate early often save money — not to mention can start applying to jobs, fellowships, or graduate school sooner.
Helpful tips for taking summer classes
Now that you are familiar with the benefits of taking summer classes, let’s talk about some tips to help you complete them successfully! Follow these tips to get the most out of your summer semester:
1) Talk to an advisor to help decide what classes to take
Having a better understanding of what courses you need to take, deadlines, and topics are helpful when enrolling for summer classes. Before you register, set up an appointment with your academic advisor to make sure you’re staying on track to graduate at your desired time, fulfilling requirements, and taking courses in the proper order (if there is one). Should there be any problems or difficulties, advisors also have the ability to issue the proper permits for students to register for NJIT courses.
2) Be prepared for classes to move quickly
Because summer sessions are shorter than a typical semester, the courses are condensed to fit into 6-8 weeks. However, the courses will still cover all the same information as it would during the year. This means the classes move fairly quickly. You may find yourself having weekly assignments, quizzes, papers, and other major assignments.
Some courses may also meet more frequently or for longer periods of time. For example, during the year, a class might meet for a total of 3 hours per week, but meet six hours per week during the summer. While the pace is accelerated, this also means you will finish the course within just a few weeks and have the rest of the summer to chill and hang out with friends and family.
At NJIT, there are four summer sessions to choose from, giving you an option on when you want to take your class, and when you want to travel.
3) Remember course selection is limited
Before you put off taking a class during the school year just to take it during the summer, remember that not every course is offered. Summer session course selection is limited, though it may be easier to get a spot in the classes that are offered. Many universities will offer popular courses, prerequisites, research based classes, and independent studies during the summer.
To check and see what courses are offered and when, check out NJIT’s Course Schedule, and begin planning your ideal summer semester.
4) Explore your funding options
Don’t let the thought of tuition deter you from enrolling in summer courses. Explore your funding options and see what can be done to help you pay for the credits. NJIT offers summer financial aid resources that can help defray costs for qualified candidates. Make sure to also check the details of your scholarship as some may or may not cover credits outside of the traditional school year.
Make the most of your summer at NJIT
Attending summer at NJIT is a great way to boost your GPA for the year, makeup credits, make up a class you may have dropped, or just get ahead in your coursework. You can even earn extra cash by working a part-time job if you qualify for NJIT's institutional work-study program. There are always things to learn over the summer! Don’t wait — register now for an online or in-person summer class, and accelerate your program.