Taking a class or two during the short summer or winter session at your college may seem like a good idea for many reasons. However, along with the advantage of knocking a class out of the way in less than a semester comes the challenges of managing your time, energy, and academic performance effectively to get the best possible results. Here are some things to keep in mind when tackling a short session class.
- You will be covering a full semester’s worth of material in a much shorter period of time. At the colleges where I presently teach, this means compressing 16 weeks of information into 6 weeks for winter or 8 weeks for summer.
- Be prepared for long class sessions (sometimes 4 hours) that meet up to 4 days per week. Missing even one class during a short session can spell disaster for your final grade as testing and turning in other graded assignments is frequent.
- Because of the compression of information, the pace is very fast indeed in a short session class. If you need lots of time to process and learn information, this style of learning may not be the best for you.
- Since short session classes are work-intense, limit the number of them you take at any one time. If you have other obligations you need to attend to during the short session weeks, I suggest you only take one class. If you have nothing else that needs your attention, two classes can be managed.
- Keep in mind the nature of the class you’re taking. Classes that involve labs or lots of writing can be challenging enough during a regular length term; think carefully before you decide to tackle one as a short session class.
- Strong self-motivation, self-discipline, and commitment are essential to doing well in short session classes. I suggest that you take them in areas in which you are academically strong.
- Short session classes are not the best approach for struggling students due to the fast pace and overall intensity level.
- Keep very close track of schedules and deadlines, and keep up with all readings and assignments. Short session classes will require even more stringent study habits and more frequent studying to master the material in such a limited time.
