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.

4. Being on campus. So summer classes aren’t all study, study, study. Being on campus in the summer is great. Imagine being able to find a parking spot at the coffee shop every time. Or getting into the bar without a line. Or not having to wait to use the only color printer at the library. There are some major advantages to being on campus during the summer.

5. Friends. New or old, summer bonding is sure to occur when you’re the only ones on campus. You’ve got loads more time to hang out, plus you’ve got to get mighty creative in how you pass the time since there isn’t as much going on in the summer months. I’ve made some of my closest friendships from the one summer class I took.

So now stop dragging your feet about taking a summer class and sign up! It’s a totally different experience than you’re used to and one everyone should try at least once. And really, if you get some classes out of the way now, that 2nd semester of your senior year will be a total breeze. Done and done.

Got some college questions? Unsure of a decision? Making the big college transition? Just wanna chat it up with some really awesome chics?

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.

Busy Bee
Mmm, as I read this story I could feel myself liking him as well. No worries, I won’t steal your man! Anyway, I completely understand the complication of it. Being a hopeless romantic myself, I am going to tell you to go for it – AFTER this semester ends. I’m not sure if you’ve responded to him yet about lunch, but I would suggest telling him this: “Hey hot T.A., I would really love to grab lunch with you later this week, but here’s the catch. I have a cute lil’ crush on you, but would like to wait until the semester is over before we act on this. What do you think?” I know that sounds like a death sentence to say, but trust me, it’s the way to go. That way, he won’t butcher your grade because he thinks you blew him off. At the same time, by postponing the hangout until after finals will ensure that your peers won’t think you’re the girl who slept with the T.A. to get an A – even if you didn’t. Don’t worry about what his response is, though; I’m sure he has a crush on you as well! Just trust me on this one: do not go out with the T.A. while he is your T.A. Oh, and don’t worry about future classes! Take care of what you can in the moment…you never know what good can come of this.

Party Girl
Oh my gawd, yes. This sounds like a fantastic idea. I mean, he’s only your T.A. for this one summer class (which ends really soon), right? Regardless of whether you’ll see him in the department again, this situation sounds like awesome being handed to you on a silver platter. Take it! If you don’t, you’ll regret it. There was a young professor that I spent a couple years trying to get on and, unfortunately for me, there was no silver platter (and he turned out to be gay, but that’s another story). If you’re worried about the relationship (or hook-up) ending badly and then seeing him around all the time…well, that’s college. You hook-up, you date, you break-up and then you see them everywhere. Messy is a way of life on a college campus. It sounds like you genuinely like this hottie, so stop trying to talk yourself out of it. Get it, girl!

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.

So yeah, maybe taking summer classes isn’t such a bad idea… or is it?

Taking summer classes isn’t all bright and sunny (like the weather you’ll be missing indoors); there are cons too. Aside from the whole “you have the next 40 years of your life to work so why not enjoy a little freedom while you have it” argument *cough cough* there are also some practical considerations. For one thing, if you live in campus housing or go take classes somewhere out of town, you have nowhere to live. Most of the time you can find a limited-time rental to stay in, but it means forking over extra cash. Also, while you won’t be distracted by all of the cool stuff going on during the school year, do you really think you’re going to be less distracted by missing out on the awesome BFFs roadtrip or those vacation pictures that just haunt your Facebook feed?

Not to mention that social interaction is supposed to be part of the college experience, instead you’ll be there with a bunch of people like you who are just holding thier breath until class is over and they can escape – forget bonding! On the purely academic front, the shorter number of class days means longer classes most of the time and may also make it harder for you to absorb the subject and get all of the homework done. To save money, most schools also cut down on the hours things like libraries and camputer labs are open which could make life hard if you’re working on, say, a research heavy class (or have three homework-less roommates).

So what do you think? Are you signing up for the summer credits? Or will you be kicking back this year and soaking up your free summers while you have them? Duke it out!

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.

Busy Bee:
Well, first of all, congrats on choosing a major. That’s a major (no pun intended) milestone in your college career and finally puts you on track for your future. That being said, there are pros and cons to both situations. With the economy the way it is right now, grades and extracurricular activities are super important for getting a job. If taking on 18 credits prevents you from doing other things – like taking a leadership role in a student group – you may want to save some classes for the summer. And the same thing goes for your GPA. Too many classes may mean lower grades in all of them, which really isn’t worth it in the end. On the flip side, if you aren’t in any student groups yet (shame on you!), but were planning on getting an internship/related job this summer, pack the classes in now so you can add that important experience to your resume.

Party Girl:
I know that changing majors can be stressful and make you feel like you should be spending all of your time playing catch up. But honestly, college is just as much about the experience as it is about the grades and classes and if you cram your schedule so full of work that you have no time to enjoy your time as a college student, you’re going to be one unhappy camper. While all your friends are going out on weekends and making lifelong memories, you’re going to be stuck in the library reading history books and living vicariously through their Facebook albums. Take an easier load and stick around for the summer session to make up what you’ve missed. All the fun you’ll have with your college friends will totally be worth a summer semester of catching up. And, honestly, summer semester rocks. You get to be on campus and an easy schedule, meaning you get that much more time to enjoy the fun side of things.

GPA Girl:
Looks like neither option is going to be a picnic, so you’re going to have to choose what you think would be best for you. How do you do under pressure? Be honest with yourself. If you work hard and always have, you’re familiar with your track record and know you could get through a really tough semester. But if it’s more manageable for you to take fewer credits spread out over a longer period of time, there’s no shame in that (even if it does mean giving up your summer). Plus, keep this in mind – you won’t exactly be “giving up” your summer. I’m sure you won’t be the only person sticking around during that time, and you might even have the opportunity to make some really great new friends whom you wouldn’t have met during the normal school year. There’s more good news in that you finally have chosen a major, so the new classes you take should theoretically cover material that you’ll enjoy. So to summarize, if you do well with pressure, feel free to cram it all in, but please don’t spread yourself too thin. There are definite advantages to taking your time!

You got a question? Send it over and our experts will help you out.

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.

Love It:
Lots of my friends choose to stay on campus after the rest of us board our planes to go back to our families.  Some of them take electives that they normally can’t fit into their schedule, like aikido or underwater basket weaving (yes, there is such a thing). Some of them take special classes that are only taught during the summer season, or classes taught by special visiting professors or researchers who have a busy schedule during the regular school year. Some of them take classes just to keep their brain active during the what-would-otherwise-be lazy and unproductive summer months, or to get some classes out of the way so the following year is a breeze. And sometimes, it’s just easier to get 4.0′s during summer. Classes are usually more relaxed, and with a much smaller population of students on campus, it’s easier to focus, since you’re not caught up in the party scene as much.

The best reason I’ve ever heard was from one of my rising-senior friends; he told me he was taking summer classes to fulfill credit requirements. You know, so he could graduate come next spring. I told him it was probably a good idea.

Loathe It:
This is pretty much a no-brainer: No summer fun. No break from school. No chance to earn money. No way to seize any opportunities for a cool internship, or a service trip, or a backpacking journey up Mt. Everest. Basically, it’s school for an ENTIRE YEAR. As in 12 whole months of non-stop education. You could be catching up with old friends or having some quality family fun time (actually, put the “fun” in quotes), but with summer school, the only thing on your to-do list is to study, study, and…study. As in spending the day in classes and spending the night in the library.

And let’s not forget that you are on campus alone since most of your friends have gone home for the summer. There is no one to hang out with between classes, no one to go out with at night, and you are sitting in a classroom instead of out on the beach. How could you possibly enjoy that!?

I guess there are some valid reasons for attending summer school, for instance, actually have enough credits to graduate. But for me, I would much rather spend my summer vacation doing what I can’t do during the regular school term. Like interning, or travelling, or doing absolutely nothing at all and enjoying my mom’s cooking while I’m doin’ it.

What do you think?

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.

If you’re taking summer classes, you can’t afford to be the slacker you might be tempted to be when those obscenely hot summer days roll around. You have to go to every class, because so much material is packed into one day that even that one absence can screw you over. You know that model student you promise you’re going to be in the beginning of the semester, but it eventually goes downhill? That’s the way you’ve gotta be during summer courses. Take notes, study, do all your homework, show up to every class, and ask questions. If you’re confused about something and you don’t take the chance to ask the professor right then, you’re pretty much screwed in terms of hoping it’s gonna come back up again to clarify itself. Trust me; it ain’t gonna happen.

The good thing about summer classes is that it’s over pretty quickly. Like I said, they range from about four to five weeks. After that, you never need to look at that Statistics or Baby Bio book again. They’re also pretty convenient; most colleges will readily let you transfer summer courses.

So if you’re lagging behind a bit in credits or just want to get that distribution out of the way, sign up for a summer course. It’s a little painful, but faster and even easier in the long run.

But damn if it isn’t mind over matter.

[Picture credit goes to: gettyimages.com]