Taking classes during any season requires dedication and motivation. The first year of college at a university is exciting and new, with so many new things to see and so many new people to meet. It’s easy to get wrapped up in all of the hype and excitement of being on your own for the first time and meeting new people that you put your schoolwork on the back burner. It’s crucial to stay organized and find a schedule that works for you. Once you find that groove that keeps you on track, you’ll get right into the swing of things and have no problem acing those midterms. Don’t forget that the reason you are away at school in the first place is to get good grades and better your education. There’s always time for rest and relaxation on holiday breaks and summer vacation. For those who go home during the summer, they may spend their time visiting family or going to the beach. Those who stay on campus may find themselves just hanging out and taking a breather from all of the hard work they put in during the semester. But, what If you are one of the students who decided to take summer classes? You may be worried about staying on track and experiencing a lack of motivation. And, because summer classes are usually a bit shorter than normal term classes, you may be worried that the course may move too quickly for you. If this is the case, it’s important for you to stay focused.
1) View Your Summer Classes as a Step Ahead- Taking summer classes requires motivation and dedication. This is especially true if you are someone who values your vacations at the beach or trips to the pool during your time off. But, just because you’re taking summer classes doesn’t mean you can’t relax, too! See it as putting yourself ahead of schedule and making effective usage of extra time. You will thank yourself later when you graduate a bit earlier than the rest of your friends, and can take that well-awarded trip to the Bahamas with your family. Setting fun rewards for yourself such as allotting a few hours to lay out on campus with cold pink lemonade after crunching out that term paper are also excellent ways to keep you motivated. Find other friends on campus who are taking summer classes, and take turns buying “we did it” celebration pizzas on Friday nights. You can even take this time to work on assignments and keep each other motivated.
2) Stay Organized- Since most summer classes are a bit faster than usual, make sure you print out your class schedule and keep it somewhere you will see it every day. Maybe on your mini-fridge door or in the sleeve of your binder. This serves as a constant reminder of due dates and tests. Also helpful, is setting alerts and reminders in your phone or on your laptop. If you are having a busy week with lots of assignments due, set yourself a reminder a week in advance to remind you to start your final project. The constant reminders will make it impossible to miss a deadline, and even give you extra time to prepare. If you are someone who benefits from manually writing things down, buy yourself a planner and pencil in your due dates and assignments as soon as you receive them. Keep your planner in your purse or in the front of your backpack so you can always be reminded to check it for due dates.
3) Make a Friend in Class- Even though you may feel like it, you aren’t the only one enrolled in summer classes. In fact, there are tons of other students enrolled in summer classes who may be taking advantage of classes being offered in the summer that may have been full in the fall or spring semesters. You may also meet some students who decided to take summer classes to raise their GPA. Find a friend in your summer classes and plan study dates at the campus coffee shop or library. You can even find a nice picnic table in the campus courtyard and spend some time outside while still getting your work done. Working through your summer classes’ together will help you both stay on track, and will serve as the perfect outlet to get a little extra help if you were confused on something in class. Staying dedicated is crucial, and finding a friend who is just as dedicated as you are will set up a recipe of success that will keep you on the right track.
