Should I Take Online Courses this Summer? | College Coach Blog

Now that summer is in full swing, students should make a plan for how to spend their time off from school. Hopefully this means some time for family and fun, but it’s also a great time for students to explore interests they don’t have as much bandwidth for during the busy school year. This could take the form of a summer job, sports or an activity, community service or a special project. For some students, it’s a time to explore an academic interest. Online courses are an easily accessible way to do this. Before registering for an online course there are a few questions students should consider.

Are Online Courses a Good Fit for Me?

Not every student thrives in an online learning environment. For the kinesthetic learner, online classes can be especially difficult. Typically, most online courses will require the student to spend several hours in front of the computer per week, and they generally are less interactive than an in-person class. While online classes can be a strong fit for some, before registering for a class it’s important to reflect on the type of learner the student is, and also to consider the commitment level of not only the class, but the required homework and study time.

Do I Need to Take Online Classes in Summer to Be Competitive for Colleges?

Absolutely not! Colleges do not expect students to take additional classes in summer. They are simply one way a student can choose to spend their time in a meaningful way. Reasons to take classes in the summer include the student having a genuine interest in the subject matter and excitement to take the class, repeating a course where the student initially received a D or F grade, or wanting to take a class to explore a subject they may not be able to take during the school year.

Are There Any Classes I Shouldn’t Take in Summer?

There are no classes that are necessarily off limits for online courses, however, students should consider the fact that these classes can be faster paced because they may be condensing a yearlong course into just a few weeks or months. This means that it can be easier to fall behind quickly.

What Options Do I Have for Taking Online Courses?

There are many options for online classes. These include traditional high school offerings, college-level courses, and online certificate programs. Here are a few of the available choices:

High School Courses

There are several options for traditional high school courses online at both the both college preparatory and Advanced Placement level. A student’s local school district may provide their own online classes, and outside resources like BYU Independent Study and UC Scout have a variety of course offerings.

College Credit Courses

A large number of two-year community colleges and four-year colleges/universities provide options for online classes. Some specific classes may be geared towards high school students exclusively, whereas others are open to high schoolers or any community members.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Other E-Learning Platforms

MOOCs provide all kinds of learners with robust access to educational content. Many top colleges and universities have free courses available on MOOCs; Coursera and edX are two of the best known. While not affiliated with colleges or universities, other e-learning platforms such as Khan Academy and Udemy are additional options for students to learn new skills and subjects for free or low-cost rates.