Prepare to Excel in the Shorter Terms of Summer Session

Summer courses are condensed into a shorter time frame than the 16-week fall and spring semesters. The same amount of material is covered, resulting in a faster-paced immersive experience. Undergraduate students who participate in summer session, on average, complete 5.7 credits. This allows a deeper focus on fewer topics.

Condensed terms can make 3 credits feel like:

• 12 credits in a four-week term,
• 6 credits in an eight-week term, and
• 4 credits in a 12-week term.

Additional considerations:

• Labs are intense in an four-week term.
• If you’re choosing overlapping terms, the demand on your time increases. For example:
  • Taking a class in each four-week term will feel like 12 credits during the 4 weeks the terms overlap.
  • A 3-credit class in a four-week term in conjunction with a 3-credit class in an eight-week term will feel like 18 credits for the weeks the courses overlap.
  • Plan to get ahead in your first class to ease pressure before your next class begins.
• If you’re working, consider how to balance work with studying, and how much work and study will be realistic during the time you’re taking classes.

Academic Support Resources

Advising

• Advising@CSU
  • Advisors and Academic Success Coordinators can be found by contacting the specific college or department.
• Collaborative for Student Achievement
  • Exploratory Studies Advising (formerly Undeclared Student Advising)
  • Health Professions Advising 

Success Strategies

Before class begins:

• Have your textbooks available prior to the first day if possible. This is extremely helpful with condensed terms, especially with the four-week terms. Summer textbooks are available for purchase through the CSU Bookstore, online or in the store beginning spring finals week.
• Visit Canvas Student Resources to become familiar with the course delivery environment.

First day of class

• Start Day One: Be prepared to engage in the material and to study as soon as classes begin.
• Seek Help Day One: If you have questions or concerns, ask the very first day. By day two the class may already be moving on to a new topic. Plus, if the course isn’t for you, you need to drop quickly to avoid the loss of tuition.

Plan ahead

• Manage your schedule: Build in more time to study to keep up with the faster pace of summer courses.
• Use the syllabus and refer to it frequently. Compare deadlines with your personal calendar to build in adequate time in your schedule to study and prepare for exams, quizzes, and assignment completion.

Daily strategies

• Engage in class every day: Smaller class sizes, in general, provide more opportunity for engagement with faculty and classmates.
• Study daily, as tests occur more often: Assess how long it takes you to read and understand material so you can plan accordingly.

Form study groups

One of the best ways to learn material is to discuss it with other students. Learn from, quiz, and teach each other.

Attend office hours as needed

Office hours are designated times instructors are available to meet with you outside of class, typically in their office, but sometimes virtually, at times listed on the syllabus. Making a connection with your instructor(s), asking for guidance, or confirming you’re approaching your work as expected can help you learn more and make a positive difference in your course outcome.