While some students are rafting down the river or splashing in the waves, others are plugging away at their studies during summer session.
The second four weeks of summer session begins Monday, and students in all disciplines will be earning credits and getting that much closer to a degree.
Director of summer session Ron Trebon said some of the most popular classes in summer are languages.
“It’s a good time to take language because that’s all they will take,” Trebon said. “That’s a good way to learn language. It’s immersion.”
Trebon said the nearly 8,000 students enrolled in classes so far this summer will most likely take fewer credits than during the school year. While the average University student signs up for 15 credits during fall, winter and spring, students usually take about nine credits during the summer.
Program assistant Kurea Houston said students can also benefit from taking group requirement satisfying courses such as science.
“We have science cram sessions. They can get three chunks of their science series done in summer instead of over three terms,” she said.
Houston said students who take classes in summer can include those close to graduation and those who just happen to be in Eugene during the summer.
“As long as you’re willing to put in the time there shouldn’t be any disadvantages, unless it’s personal. And you don’t spend the whole summer in school,” she said.
Creator of a DVD aimed at improving college student performance, Justin Baer said while he was unable to attend New York University during summer session, he feels the benefits of summer classes are many. Baer did not attend because he ran a business while attending college.
“I wish I could have. I encourage students, if they can, to take summer classes. It lightens the load,” he said.
Baer points out that students can take difficult classes in summer and focus on them instead of having to balance homework in all their classes. Not to mention students get the same number of credits for a class in half the time.
Baer said he was inspired to begin coaching college students through his DVD “Cracking College” because he realized they were coming to college less prepared.
“Studies have shown kids are taking a lot of remedial classes. Students are not ready for college,” he said.
Baer said some of the tips he gives students apply throughout the school year.
“Students don’t really take advantage of the school’s resources, specifically tutoring resources,” he said. Baer recommends students find a tutor for every course.
“In college it’s almost like having a personal trainer,” he said. “Do you want to work out with a personal trainer or without one?”
To explore the possibility of taking classes this summer, pick up one of the summer session catalogs, visit the summer session Web site or sign on to DuckWeb. To calculate tuition and fees for the summer session, go to registrar.uoregon.edu, and to obtain Baer’s DVD, visit crackingcollege.com.
Students benefit at summer sessions
Daily Emerald
July 19, 2007
0
More to Discover