Summer’s just starting, and while this could mean the usual sun, fun, and beaches, it could also be a good time for something you might never have thought of: summer college courses. 

Before disregarding (or accepting) this notion, keep in mind that summer classes will help you to get ahead and continue making progress towards your education, but you also need to make sure you don’t burn out, especially if your body and brain need a break. 

Why summer courses are for you: 

Summer classes are a great idea if you’d like to move ahead in your degree program and graduate a little earlier. With shorter sessions in the summer, you’ll be limited in the number of classes you can take, but taking just one or two classes can help you concentrate on learning that material. You’ll likely interact with your professor every day instead of just once or twice a week, which gives you more chances to ask questions. Professors may also have more time to spend on their classes and students because there are fewer publication deadlines in the summer. 

Financially, if taking summer college courses means you can graduate a semester early, you could save some money on your degree. 

Additionally, with online summer college courses, you can learn from anywhere, anytime. Online summer education won’t interfere with your vacation plans, and you can put some of the extra down time you have while on vacation towards studying.

Why summer courses aren’t for you: 

Summer classes are, well, in the summer—the time when everyone takes vacations. You’ll have to plan carefully to make sure your class and vacation schedules don’t conflict. 

Summer sessions and courses tend to be shorter, which means you’ll have less time to absorb the material. You’ll likely be quizzed or tested more often, with just a couple of weeks to master the information instead of a couple of months. This also means the courses can’t offer in-depth research opportunities to really delve into topics.

Finances could also be an issue. Summer financial aid may be contingent upon you taking a certain number of credits. It’s also important to know that paying by credit, as you’ll likely have to do in the summer, is more expensive than paying by semester. 

Lastly, online summer courses are not ideal for those who need a little extra motivation to study and watch lectures online. In the summer, it is increasingly harder to find the time and desire to sit down and attend your online classes.