A great way to use your summer away from South Dakota State University is by taking advantage of summer courses. Now may be a perfect time to start or continue earning your degree at SDSU. Hope Osborn is a sophomore theater and psychology student. She is taking nine credits online this summer.

Lighten your load

Taking a few credits during the summer months can have many benefits and you can study under the sun! I decided to take nine credits of online courses this summer for a few reasons, all of which will make my academic life a little easier.

Taking 18 credits each semester during the academic year in order to graduate on time or early can be stressful. By taking a few credits each summer, you can lighten your course load in the fall and spring semesters. I’m taking three classes this summer. I’ll be able to take as few as 14 credits each semester in the 2020-21 academic year without falling behind.

Get ahead of schedule

While SDSU is sad to see Jackrabbits go, graduating early can save students a lot of money. By taking a few classes in the summer, you can graduate on time or early without taking a full course load during the fall and spring semesters. By taking a few classes this summer, I’ll be able to graduate in three-and-a-half years total instead of four.

Explore other interests

It isn’t uncommon for students to change/add a major or a minor when in college. The summer is a great time to explore other interests. By taking a class in a subject you’re interested in during the summer, you can evaluate if you want to incorporate it into your degree. Or, you can simply take the class because you want to and spend some time learning about things you’re interested in.

Extra time

Students may have more time if they aren’t working full-time or completing an internship. For the students who find themselves having more time in the summer, it may be a good idea to take a harder class. That way, you can spend time focusing on that material without the distraction of other classes or activities and make sure you do well in the class.

Considering taking a few classes this summer? Registration is still open! Contact your advisor and sign up for a few courses. Take advantage of the time you may have in the next few months to make your life a little less stressful during the academic year.