Right about this time of year when the weather starts to get nice, you start to think about lazy and carefree summer vacations—filled with pool days and relaxation. Many college students have the benefit of deciding whether or not to take college courses over summer break. Though you may skip sum summer sun, there are definitely many benefits to taking summer college courses. Here are seven great reasons why you should stay in school this summer break:
1. You may be able to finish your degree faster than if you are just attending during the traditional months. The faster you finish your degree, the faster you can move up in the workforce with your college degree.
2. Professionals don't get summer breaks from their jobs and paying bill. Taking college course through the summer allows students to experience what it’s like to work throughout the whole year—without a sizeable break.
3. Students often forget a lot of what they learned over the summer. When you do come back to school, you might find yourself spending more time than usual on schoolwork, just to refresh those skills. It can be very difficult, the longer you wait to get back in the groove of having to study again. Taking summer courses can keep your critical thinking skills in tune and may help retention of important skills you learned during the fall and winter months!
4. You may lose your spot in your program and have to wait even longer to re-enter, thus delaying graduation possibly many more quarters. In cohort programs such as Allied Health and Nursing, students will be allowed to re-enter at the appropriate level only if a space in the program becomes available (Rasmussen Course Catalog). When you do finally reenter you will have to form new relationships with the members of your new cohort.
5. You may intend to come back, but the absence of academic pressure will seem nice and enjoyable and you’ll start to lose interest in school. The greatest risk of taking a break is that you’ll never come back.
6. Often times you’ll find that the on-campus atmosphere is much more laid back. The crowds die down, the class sizes may even be smaller, and finding a parking spot is easier.
7. When you reenter college you will be subject to any new tuition rates or changes. You will have to go through another financial aid appointment and re-do your financial aid budget because of these potential changes, in addition some scholarship money may no longer be available to you.
Imagine the journey to your degree is a tall staircase with your degree at the top. If you are going to reach your goal, you need to keep climbing. If you stop climbing the stairs, you have stopped the journey toward your degree. Keep climbing the stairs and not standing still; therefore, going nowhere.
