Summer classes speed up degrees

While sitting in the Indiana Memorial Union, senior Allison Baker studies for a psychology test. She is taking two classes in the first summer session and one in the second.
 
“I want to get more credits done to graduate on time, and I am paying for my apartment, so I want to live in it,” Baker said. “I am not paying $600 for a storage unit.”

According to the Office of the Registrar, in 2009 the total number of students that took summer classes was 10,034, which is lower than in previous years.

Nevertheless, summer classes are generally known as being more laid-back than those of other semesters, and some students like to take advantage of that.

“I heard summer school is fun, and I wanted to experience that,” senior Ellie Chamlin said. “I also want an easier semester in the fall, and I just changed my major, so I need the credits.”

Some students are just looking for something to do in the summer.

“I like to be busy,” senior Ashland Denison said. “I am actually on the right track with the credits I need to graduate.”

IU offers two summer sessions, and students can choose to take classes in either or both. In 2009, more undergraduate students were taking classes the first session than the second, with 6,061 in the first session and 3,973 in the second, according to the Office of the Registrar.

“I am taking classes in both summer sessions because — why not?” Baker said. “Some classes are just easier to take in the summer.”

Chamlin has a job that is affecting her ability to take classes both sessions.

“I am not taking classes all summer because I have a job in Wisconsin,” she said. “It is hard to be in Bloomington all summer when a lot of my close friends aren’t here, too.”

Denison is not taking second-session classes for different reasons.

“I was signed up for classes in the second summer session, but I decided I didn’t want to spend the money,” he said. “I also thought I would have a job.”

Summer school can affect other aspects of summer, such as leisure time and employment.

“I won’t be home all summer because of school and my job,” Chamlin said. “Also, I do have a lot of homework to do that keeps me very busy.”

Denison is glad to be in summer classes because he doesn’t have to be around his family, but it has affected other areas of his life. 

“I haven’t had to deal with my mother,” he said, “but I don’t get as much sleep as I
usually get in the summer.”

Alternatively, summer school hasn’t affected Baker at all.

“It hasn’t really affected my job or my summer activities,” she said. “It is basically like the school year. I make time for leisure activities in the school year, too.”