Weekly Column Patrick OConnor Summer Classes-- A Real Education
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There you were, waiting in the counseling office to review your schedule for next year, when you came across the Summer Enrichment brochure your school district just published this week. As you scanned down the list, there, nicely nestled between “Adventures with Water Colors” and “Anyone Can do Figure Drawing”, you saw it—“Algebra 2, Tuesday Wednesday Thursday mornings, starts in June, ends July 20.” Do your eyes deceive you? Could it be the year-long class that is causing so many other problems with your schedule can be easily set aside by giving up 18 hours this summer? Sure—just like you’d be rich if everyone mailed you a dollar. Don’t get me wrong—summer classes can be great, and many students have taken them to “double up” in Math, Science, or English—but they sure didn’t do it in 18 hours, and neither will you. If summer classes are on your mind, keep this in mind, and you won’t lose your mind: What’s your goal? Begin your search for summer classes by looking within—why do you want to take a class? If it’s a love for the subject, remember that most students taking local summer classes are there for Round 2—their grade in the class wasn’t all that great the first time they took it, and they want to improve it (or have to improve it) before fall. It’s great they’re doing that, but if you’re taking Creative Writing to discuss ideas and themes, and most everyone else is taking it for credit recovery, this might not be the best match. Try http://www.petersons.com/summerop/code/ssector.aspm for a list of summer programs attended by students who can’t get enough of learning. Many of these programs are taught on college campuses, and while they often cost more than local summer school, many offer scholarships. Ask and see. What’s their goal? It’s also important to know what’s going to be taught in a class. The Algebra 2 class may only meet for 18 hours, but it’s most likely designed to be a review for students who’ve already had the class once. If Math isn’t your thing, and especially if you plan on taking Pre-Calc, this micro-math class is not the thing to do. Ask for a syllabus ahead of time—better yet, talk to the teacher. Got free time? Unless the class is PE (which is a great class to take in the summer—dude, you’re outside!), class time will require study time, which impacts summer afternoons, summer nights, and summer weekends. If the class means something to you, make sure you can give it your all, both in terms of time and attention. You won’t get much out of studying on a July night if your head is in the book but your heart is at the beach. Dare to dream. Summer classes are also the best time to try something new, with little or no risk attached. Sure, it’s a great time to knock off a required Health class—but what about a class in a department of the school you’ve never set foot in? You future architects and engineers should know that the best designers have a background in the fine arts—so the Water Color and Figure Drawing classes I mentioned earlier might not be a bad idea after all (busted!). School is about credits, but education is about learning— spend the summer with your eye on the big picture, and you may go back to school in the fall with something more than just a change in your credit count. Meanwhile, send those dollars to collegeisyours@....
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