The summer semester registration schedules recently came out and are available at the front desk by the main door or in the Kopp Student Center.

In general, the summer semester offers a wide selection of classes, from Biology to Spanish, but requires a solid time commitment by the student.

One of the most important factors in deciding between a slacker summer and a class-packed one is personal attitude and habits.

“If a student has a history of skipping classes, they can forget about summer school! It’s vital to attend every class, because you’re trying to squeeze a whole semester’s worth of material into a limited amount of time, so every minute of class is valuable,” NCC counselor Francis Blander explains.

Most classes last five weeks, but a few of the more intensive four credit classes go for seven weeks, instead of the usual 16 weeks that spring and fall semesters require. Having been a summer school student herself, Blander says “you’re going at about three times the pace, but that can kind of be a good thing because you know that the end is not far, as long as you stay on top of things.”

In order to stay on top of things, some summer fun may have to be compromised. Blander gave the example that if a student takes two classes, about seven credits total, he or she can expect a major exam, paper, or project in each class every week.

“If you plan to succeed in summer classes,” she says, “it’s not reasonable to think that you can also hold down a job working more than 25 hours a week. From the time you leave class until the time the next class starts, you need to be reading and processing the new material. If a summer job is totally necessary, try to make it a weekend gig.”

Blander suggests not taking more than two classes, especially if one is a science class involving lab time. “If a student wants to take more than seven credits per summer session, they have to get a counselor signature, just like in the fall or spring if you want to take more than 17 credits.”

PSEO students should be aware that summer classes are not paid for by the state. Also, many of the summer classes require all students to have earned a high school diploma prior to enrolling. However, special permission can be granted to those with unique situations. Talk to Gail Scheid, a PSEO specialist, regarding these concerns.