Random useless fact about Holly: I started taking summer classes in grade 11 of high school. I couldn't find a job that summer, so instead I got special permission to take an introductory Canadian History class at Nipissing. I did the same the next summer, and got another 6 credits in Canadian Social History. Ditto for the summer of first year university, when I took the Ancient History Course. The moral of the story is that I had 18 extra credits towards my degree before I started 2nd year! And the result is I will be able to graduate with a double major (history and political science), minor (French) and teachable (in music). Moreover, I was able to take one less class in my last year, so that I could really concentrate on those honours seminars (and trust me, you will need the time).
In addition, I found it so much easier to concentrate on my schoolwork when I only had one class. For example, during my social history summer class, which was every morning (Mon-Thurs), I could go to class in the mornings and then read and study in the afternoons. I was always on top of my readings because there was no room for procrastination. I also couldn't procrastinate on papers, since I knew they would be due in a matter of weeks.
This being said, I have never taken one of those online summer courses - I have a sneaking suspicion that I would find it very hard to motivate myself when the course was so independent.
Although most students will have to work during the summer - if you're so lucky as to have a job that can allow you to take a course, or even if you can't find a summer job - do something productive and try out a spring or summer class. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Photo caption: 16-year-old Holly at Nipissing, summer of grade 11.
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