Taking summer classes can look different for every student. Maybe you're taking an extra course to get ahead or maybe you have a full schedule. Whatever path you're on, you may be facing obstacles that are making it hard to stay motivated and focused on your studies. Here are some helpful tips to help you reach your academic goals this summer.
Find a Tutor At School or Online
First, explore what tutoring or academic support resources are available at your school over the summer. Some schools have tutors available year-round, while others may have adjusted their summer hours. If this is the case, reach out to your professors directly as they are happy to help you work through specific material. Remember you can ask your chatbot, "Where can I find information about tutoring?" to be connected to the right resource.
If you're looking for help outside your school, there are tons of online (free!) tutoring platforms that can support you with certain subjects. Even just a quick search on Google or YouTube can connect you to short instructional videos by certified tutors and tutoring organizations that may help explain tough concepts from different perspectives.
Reach Out to the People in Your Class
Communicating with your professor and classmates will be essential to creating your academic support system. Organizing in-person or virtual study groups can be a great way to facilitate discussions and work through harder course material. Also, lean on your classmates in your time of need – many may be struggling with similar concepts or be able to explain something in simpler terms.
Maybe it's not course material you're struggling with but having a hard time juggling at-home responsibilities and your studies. Getting to know your classmates on a more personal level can help you find support in other ways. Maybe you start a group chat with other parents in your class to exchange tips! Whatever challenge you're facing, there's often someone else going through something similar. Don't be afraid to ask questions, you may be surprised what you find! Finally, your instructors are here to offer their expert assistance when you need help. Remember, they can't help you if they don't know you need it so it never hurts to ask!
Manage Your Time
Finding a balance between your class schedule and personal life is no easy feat, but with a little forward thinking and planning it's always possible. Depending on the frequency of your classes and workload, creating a study schedule and setting time aside to complete homework can help ensure you also have time to rest, recharge and enjoy summer activities. Using a planner or agenda to map out your assignments ahead of time (making note of any 11:59 pm deadlines, those will really sneak up on you!) can be a great way to stay organized.
Try to Keep Up!
Summer classes are often broken into shorter sessions that pack a lot of material in a short amount of time. That means if you miss a class or two and fall behind in work, it may be more difficult than usual for you to catch up. If there are parts of the class material that you don’t understand, don't wait to ask for help from a classmate or your professor.
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