Whether your student wants to lighten their course load for the fall or just learn something new, summer classes are their ticket to a productive break. Students take summer classes for a multitude of reasons. Before your student checks out for the summer, have them consider what they might be missing.
Registration for Summer Session 2025 is now open and continues through to the first week of classes. Classes start as soon as May 27. Encourage your student to see what's available.
4 Reasons to Take Summer Classes
Get Ahead and Graduate Early.
Enrolling in summer courses will accelerate your student's degree path. Not only can it help them save money, but it will also allow them to finish their education early. Graduating early can be a significant advantage, especially when a company is in need of their expertise.
If your student can sustain a large workload, they can take up to 12 credits, which could reduce their graduation date by a whole semester. Don't worry if 12 credits seem overwhelming, taking 3 credits over the summer can still accelerate your student's graduation timeframe or at least lighten their semester load.
Reduce Fall or Spring Semester Workload.
Sometimes a semester is so crammed with challenging courses that your student knows they are going to struggle. Before resigning themselves to burnout, giving up their free time or stressing over their GPA, have them look at what summer courses are being offered to lessen their workload. These classes could cover a Stout Core credit or a major-specific credit.
Expand Their Knowledge through a Specialty or Experimental Course.
Your student will always find courses offered over the summer that focus on a specific skill or subject. Specialty courses can allow them to dive deeper into a subject or cover emerging topics, such as AI. Make sure to have your student check what courses are going to be offered every summer term to ensure they do not miss out on a great opportunity to expand their knowledge.
Get a Second Chance on Missed Credits.
Sometimes, college classes don't go as planned and can throw off your student's graduation date. If they need to retake a course to stay on track, one option is to check if the course is offered over the summer. If not, encourage your student to talk to their advisor about taking a summer class that fulfills another required credit to make space for the retake in the fall or spring.
