Summer’s for day drinking, wearing cute sundresses, basking in the sun and finding the perfect summer romance. But who says that can’t all happen while you’re still on campus? Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re making the big decision about taking summer classes.

1. Money. Taking summer classes, especially at a community college can save you some big money when it comes to your overall tuition costs. Early graduation or part-time student status can make a huge difference at the end of the day.

2. Grades. As much as we don’t like to admit it, our grades are always higher when our social life isn’t so thriving. The week your favorite bar closed for renovations? Straight A’s. The week it re-opened? Not so much. With fewer people on campus, it’s almost like good grades are a certainty. Not to mention that if you take your summer classes at a local community college, it’s almost guaranteed that it will be easier than your regular classes.

3. Jobs.  As far as my experience has shown, all of my job interviewers have been super interested in the fact that I’ve taken summer and winter classes.  It showed them that I had taken initiative to better myself by sacrificing a summer for my own education. Read More »

Got some college questions? Unsure of a decision? Making the big college transition? Just wanna chat it up with some really awesome chics? We’ve got the girls for you. Hit them up in the comments or shoot them an email with the subject “College Q&A”! They’ve got all the answers you need, no matter who you are.

Question
Hi Girls! So here’s the deal. I’m taking a few classes this summer, you know, trying to get some stuff out of the way. I’m in this one class and I have a really hot T.A. The class is small and since there aren’t many people on campus, I see him everywhere. We started talking at the bar the other night and ended up hanging out for the entire night and even getting late night food together. When I woke up the next morning (don’t worry – I was alone) I felt really awkward about the whole thing. He’s my TA! Buuuut, I also think I kinda like him. And he’s only my TA for a few more weeks. (Though there is a chance I might have him again in future Comm classes….) He pulled me aside after class yesterday and asked if I wanted to grab lunch later this week and I don’t know what to do. I want to, but I feel like it could be super messy. What do you think? Is starting something with a TA a terrible idea?

GPA Girl
Ooh, tough one! We don’t have TAs at Grinnell (it’s a really small school), so I guess I have a hard time imagining why this would be so awkward. From my perspective, though, dating your TA wouldn’t really be any different from dating anybody else in your class. You’d still have to see the person regularly, deal with the morning walk of shame, play the avoidance game if you ever break up, etc. True, this guy has the potential to become an important player in your academic life because he might be helping you out with your classes in the future, but honestly, so what? If you like him, go for it. Remember that you’re in control. If the relationship doesn’t work out and you don’t lose your temper, you can get away with an amicable breakup and still be friends with him. Don’t let the fact that he’s your TA hold you back. Read More »

Well that just sucks.

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like Facebook! ) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

Summer, my favorite time of year. Not because of the weather (yay, swimming!) or the fashion (yay, things that aren’t sweaters!) though those things are great – I love summer for the same reason that pretty much every other kid who went to school in America does; no class! But, even though the sixth grader inside my head chafes at the idea, summer classes are becoming more and more common, so the question is, are they worth it?

Alright, the pros of summer classes (words I never thought I would write). One perk of taking summer classes is that you’re getting your credits but you can mix up the usual class experience – you can take classes at an affiliated college or do a program in another city or country (hot foreign boys). Plus you don’t have all of the distractions that come with the rest of the school year (football games, school newspaper, frat row parties…). Getting some classes done over the summer also means more credits you don’t have to take later, so maybe cutting down your college career (and the amount of time you’re footing those tuition bills). Summer classes also usually take about half the time that classes do during the school year (how does that work??) and a lot of the time you can catch a break on the price with special summer scholarships and financial aid. Read More »

College. Sigh. It’s unlike any other time in your life. It has its own set of rules, its own unique circumstances. And it’s not always easy to navigate. Everyone needs a little guidance now and then (or always) so we’ve pulled together a variety of perspectives (the does-it-all girl, the party girl and Ms. Study Lounge) to weigh in on your life conundrums and give you the best advice we can.

Every week they’ll be tackling your questions about college. From classes to keggers to keggers before classes, they’ll do their best to respond and be your Pez dispenser of collegiate wisdom. Got questions? Unsure of a decision? Just wanna chat it up with some really awesome chics?

Hit them up in the comments or shoot them an email with the subject “College Q&A”!

Question:
Help! It took me forever to choose a major and now that I have, I have a lot of catching up to do. Like, a lot. I’m reworking my schedule for next semester right now and I’m not sure if I should load on the classes (and take a full 18 credits) and really struggle through all the reading and writing (I’m a History major), or take an easier load and stick around for Spring/Summer term. I need to get these classes out of the way – I just don’t know if it’s better to struggle during the year or give up my summer to ease the load. Read More »

Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like how we love our BFF, but we just don’t know if we love him like THAT. Or how we love trashy TV, but we’re pretty sure it’s ruining our lives. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!]

Ahhh, summer. The sweet, glorious days of summer. Days spent lounging by the pool, building sandcastles at the beach, or lying in bed all day watching old episodes of The OC on Soap Net. School’s finally out, and since the last long vacation you had was winter break (Spring Break doesn’t count – you came back more worn out than when you left), you’re ready for some of mom’s home cooking and not getting up from your bed. Ever.

But – whaaa? – some students choose to stay in school for the summer? I am dumbfounded. Befuddled. Mystified. Who are these creatures? I guess there are some advantages to spending your summer in the classroom, such as getting ahead in your credits, but I just can’t imagine sacrificing SUMMER is worth it.

So summer school? I’m torn. Read More »

Every college girl – hell, every college student knows that school requires a lot of sacrifices. You give up things that you would have never otherwise dreamed of giving up beforehand. I’m entirely guilty of that (and don’t act like some of you aren’t, either); I’ve been taking my summer vacation for granted for years now, just vegging out, doing a little summer work, and reading.

But since I transferred after my freshman year, I lost a few credits. I still need to graduate in 2009; with the way tuition is, I can’t afford another semester or even another year. So since I was a little underweight in the distribution section, I decided to do what any smart, responsible college student would do; I signed up for summer classes.

Summer classes are no joke. They last just about a month, maybe a little bit longer. You’re learning things that are usually spread out throughout a semester, but crammed together into four weeks. It’s fast-paced, hectic, and time-consuming. It’s even harder if it’s a subject you’re not familiar with.

I’m taking Spanish 101 and 102 at my local community college to get my language requirement out of the way. Mind you, I’m already pretty well versed in Spanish. I took it for about ten years in baby steps. But now that it’s pretty much being crammed down my throat and even I’m having some difficulty. Read More »

Remember back in elementary/high school at the end of the year they would pass out a list of books for you to read over your three months of freedom to get you ready for the next year? Like your English teacher was just trying to cram some more learning down your throat in a last desperate act to get you to care about classical literature. If you’re like me then you’d already read something like 75% of the books on the list. If you’re not like me then well, you didn’t.

So now it’s summer and you probably don’t have that handy dandy guide to follow on a lazy day. Or stress that you’re just not as intellectually savvy as you would have hoped. Or perhaps (and more likely) you don’t even care and haven’t even noticed that it’s gone. But you should care and you should notice because you should have a summer reading list! For exactly three different reasons. Read More »

It’s summer time! While I’d rather be sipping on bottomless pitchers of daiquiris and taking naps by the lake, I’ll spend most of my time working and taking a summer class. While summers aren’t as carefree as the ones of our youth, the next three months can still be fun as the glory days of summers past. Here are a few ideas for a thrill-a-minute summer you won’t soon forget.

1. Go On A Roadtrip

Three guys just earned a spot in the Guiness Book of Records for driving through the 48 contiguous states in just over 106 hours. Seeing the country while hopped up on Red Bull may not be your thing, but road trips are a cheap way to vacation and see some of America’s great wonders and roadside oddities.

2.Learn Something New

You don’t have to take a summer class to keep your brain sharp. Whether it’s making a t-shirt quilt, finally tackling Sudoku or picking up some conversational Italian, find something you’re interested in and give it a shot. After 12 weeks of practice your new hobby may turn into a passion! Nervous? You don’t have to go it alone. Wrangle up some friends to join in on the fun. Read More »