There are many benefits of summer classes. For example, the summer months can be a great time to complete some of your General Education requirements. Between freshman and sophomore year, you could take courses to help meet these requirements while also challenging yourself and improving your standing for graduation.
Through its many summer sessions, Azusa Pacific University offers a variety of undergraduate courses that support a transformational educational experience. In fact, there are many great benefits of summer classes at APU! Here are seven you should know.
1. It’s an Opportunity to Get Ahead
By studying over the summer, you can concentrate on developing yourself academically—and personally. Taking a class (or two) each summer can enable you to complete an entire semester’s worth of classes outside of the traditional school years. This can free up your time so you can focus on subjects you’re passionate about, or even graduate early.
2. Gives You Some Breathing Room
Do you have a challenging semester coming up? You could take some courses over summer in an effort to lighten your future workload. For example, if you’re worried about the demands of taking a science class with a lab, you could take General Biology I or II in the summer and relax knowing your upcoming semester will be easier. And if it’s hard for you to find time to read during a full semester, taking Studies in Literature in the summer could be a smart choice too.
3. Helps You Stay Focused
With all your attention on just one or two classes, you can better concentrate on the curriculum. You won’t have so many demands on your time. Summer is a great time to take a class that you expect you’ll find challenging or want to focus intensely on. For example, a student who takes a tough computer science class during the summer can concentrate solely on the coursework without having to worry about balancing a full course load plus a part-time job.
4. Saves Money
This is a big reason to consider studying over summer break. Tuition for summer classes at Azusa Pacific University is discounted up to 74 percent for 2023, so you can save a lot of money by taking a class or two over the summer months.
5. You Can Work Around Your Schedule
APU currently offers close to 200 summer courses. And with classes offered in three five-week sessions, two eight-week sessions, and one full-summer session, you can build your summer schedule around your vacation plans, work calendar, or family activities. Plus, online courses give you the flexibility to study from anywhere.
6. Allows You to Stay Connected
When you take summer classes at APU, you can continue working at your local job or internship. That way, you can build your experience and expertise while getting ahead in your studies. You can work straight through the summer and maximize your earnings.
7. You Could Contribute to an Academic Research Project
Some APU faculty members in the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics and Department of Biology and Chemistry offer special research projects in the summer that aren’t available during the school year. This is a great example to fortify your knowledge base. In the past, students have conducted studies of the atmosphere, explored opportunities in statistics, and presented research results at an off-campus conference. Talk to your adviser to learn more about summer research projects in your major.
Ready to take advantage of the benefits of summer classes at Azusa Pacific University? Before you enroll, plan ahead. See which classes are offered, and how they work with your academic plan. Summer registration opens each year in March, so check now to see which summer classes fit best with your schedule and your degree requirements.