Real Stories/Real Students/Real Strategies

Anita's Strategy: Work hard one summer - graduate on time

Anita, elementary education major/mathematics concentration at UIC

I’m taking summer classes for two reasons. One of my math classes is only offered in the summer. To get into the College of Education, I was two classes behind that they had just added. I didn’t want to take summer at first. But I needed MATH 468. And by taking these two educational courses for elementary education — I don’t lose a year. I needed all my credits going into the fall. Now, I have all my credits. So it’s worth it.

I’m glad I came to Summer Session, because so many people are falling into the five-year program now. I’d rather work hard one summer and catch up rather than have an extra year here at UIC.

Cynthia's Strategy: Get ahead - and get priority during Fall registration

Cynthia, sophomore, pre-pharmacy at UIC

I’m taking summer classes because I want to be ahead of everyone else. And I thought that it would be easier for me to register during the upcoming fall and spring. I was only a freshman last year, so I had a lot of problems registering for the classes that I wanted. And since you get priority during registration according to how many credit hours you have, I was hoping that by registering for summer I would be in a better position when registering for fall. It didn’t happen that way, because summer credit hours aren’t completed in time. But it’s still fine, I’m still ahead now!

Meredith's Strategy: Hurry up and get out of school — with a double major

Meredith, senior, mathematics and economics major at UIC

I decided to go to summer session because I wanted to hurry up and get out of school. As a freshman, of course, I had to start at some low level courses in mathematics. Doing it in the summer brought me more up to speed. Then I got used to going to school all year round, it just came natural. So it kind of just grew on me. Also, I just added economics to my major — which adds another semester. I haven’t had any summers off to relax and work and go on vacation. I’m not happy about the cost behind it, about sacrificing time I want to spend with my friends from other universities who are back home over the summer. I can’t spend time with them, because have to study on weekends. I have to deal with that. It has its benefit and it has its costs. They’re kind of equal. I’m getting ahead. I’m doing what I need to do. But maintaining friendships is important as well. So it’s not easy. I’m constantly thinking about what classes I’m going to take.  So summer session has always been an option. 

Josip's Strategy: Earn credit hours during Summer Session — make time for basketball in fall and spring

Josip, international student from Zagreb Croatia, former Flames team member, psychology major at UIC

Summer Session really helps me to relieve my schedule in the fall and spring when I’m committed to basketball. I play basketball here at UIC and it’s really hard for me to take full-time credits. I’m trying to minimize my credits during the year, and take my summer courses — which help me a lot. When I first transferred here three years ago from Junior college, I didn’t think about summer session. I was scared. How was it going to work out? Two months instead of four months, it’s going to be a lot of stuff. Turns out, the professors actually are more flexible during the summer. And they adapt to the course load. They sort of cut it up; they concentrate on the most important parts. So it’s easier. It’s really good that I take summer session because it’s shorter and it’s adaptive to life. My teammates told me that. They took summer session before. I’m glad. I just think it helps me out. I registered as soon as possible. It’s just easier for me, so I take advantage of it.

Anton's Strategy: Earn extra credit to fulfill transfer requirements while getting acclimated to UIC

Anton, communications major, visiting Summer Session Only student at UIC

I am planning to transfer to UIC in the spring. As a transfer student, I have to have a certain number of credit hours. So the advisor at the UIC Department of Communication said, “ok, let’s take this a step further and take summer classes. That way, when you come in as a transfer, you’ll meet the credit curriculum.”  Good advice. And I am getting acclimated to UIC before I become a student here. The advisor also said, “Don’t wait because it’s too popular!”