As the summer sun beckons, FGCU becomes a world of opportunity for students looking forward to getting ahead, taking smaller-sized classes or simply having a more relaxed school schedule. No matter the motivation, summer classes offer many advantages that are worth looking into.

More Time and Focused Energy:

A full-time student typically takes four to six classes in the fall or spring semester, whereas in the summer, students usually take one or two. Since students take fewer classes during the summer, they can focus more of their time and energy leading to higher performance.

If you are like me, multitasking is not your strong suit and you prefer focusing on one task at a time. I struggle to keep up optimal performance during the fall and spring semesters because of the number of classes I take. However, when I take fewer classes in the summer, I score higher because my mind isn’t as stretched out across multiple subjects and curriculums.

Relaxed State of Mind:

Although seasons in Florida seem like one long summer day, summer break still feels like summer break. The two weeks off between the spring semester and the summer semester is normally enough to cure burnout and put a student’s mind at ease. Although being relaxed with fewer things to do might seem unproductive, it is actually more productive than being stressed with multiple things going on.

Relaxing your mind is more difficult during the fall and spring semesters because you have more responsibilities to juggle; this leads to less productivity, a higher chance of burnout and a loss of motivation. The summer semester provides the perfect opportunity to maintain a clear, stress-free mind for whatever tasks are at hand.

Getting Ahead:

Summer classes are a great way of lightening your workload during the school year and getting ahead. By taking one or more classes every summer, you can graduate earlier. For anyone planning to attend graduate school after getting their bachelor’s degree, the extra time after graduating early can be spent studying for entrance exams or even relaxing before pursuing higher education.

Although the thought of expedited classes might seem intimidating, one or two summer classes have about the same workload or lighter than four to six normal-paced classes in the fall or spring semester. Therefore, students get summer classes done more quickly with a lighter workload and still earn the same amount of credit hours as a standard-paced course.

Flexibility and Smaller Class Sizes:

Summer classes are normally smaller than fall or spring classes. This allows for more content flexibility and personal time students can spend with their professors. The stresses of the typical school year are felt not only by the students but also by their professors. From my experience, professors who teach summer classes are more willing to work around class preferences and have more time to address individual needs.

More Space:

For those of you who prefer in-person classes, you know that FGCU is notorious for its packed library and parking garages; however, the same problems do not apply to the summer semester. The parking garages are practically empty, as is the library, leaving as much time and space as you need to park, get to your classes and study.

There are many advantages to taking summer classes, so if you are hitting the books this summer, try to keep your head held high and your best foot forward.