Six weeks of intense fast-paced classes

By Alicia Salazar, On-line Forty-Niner

June 11,1998

Monday morning when I awoke, I realized that I would begin summer school. The truth was that I was not too anxious to attend since my summers were usually free of school plus I was nervous. I did not know if I would be able to handle a summer class.

During summer the classes are paced faster and there's only six weeks to do your best. I'm sure many can relate to this same feeling.

Although, the nervousness was the main reason why I was reluctant to enroll in a summer class, it was not the only issue bothering me. I also thought about the interference a summer class would have on my summer break which usually consists of working, going out with friends and taking weekend trips.

Of course I was right, but if I wanted to graduate when I planned to, I needed to take this course this summer.

I tried making myself feel better by thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of taking a summer class. First, I thought about the advantages.

By taking a summer class I would be getting a three unit course out of the way in six weeks. I would also have the whole time to dedicate my time to that one class, as opposed to the semester when I would have other classes to take along with it.

Now for the disadvantages.

One disadvantage was that I only have six weeks to do my best work and get a good grade.

Another disadvantage is that summer classes are faster paced, that is exactly what made me nervous.

Would I be able to handle it, I asked myself over and over. I definitely knew I had to keep up with my work and not fall behind. The last disadvantage I found is that the classes are costly. For one class I paid nearly $400.

During the semester it is about $200 more, for two classes. If I paid this amount I knew that I needed to pass. If I did not pass I would need to spend more money to take the class in the Fall, which I did not want to do.

Soon after I got ready for my summer class, all the thinking made me feel better. I did make a good choice by enrolling in a summer class. I have to take this class either way, so I might as well take this class in the summer and get it out of the way.

Alicia Salazar is a reporter for the Summer Forty-Niner.