Jacob Konst /Arizona Summer Wildcat Jason Brennan, a philosophy graduate student, lectures to his Philosophy 260 class. Sixteen students are enrolled in this 50-person class, leaving 34 empty seats.

More students enroll in summer school to earn quick credit, experience small class size

While many students are spending their summer days lounging poolside or channel surfing, almost 16,000 others are hitting the books this year.

Enrollment for University of Arizona summer sessions has increased by about 1,500 students from last year, with a total of 15,769 students enrolled for one or more of the three summer sessions offered, according to UA officials.

"Students take summer session for lots of reasons, but getting credits fast seems to be the most appealing," said Beth Acree, senior program coordinator for the office of summer and winter sessions, who added that about 95 percent of summer session enrollment is made up of continuing UA students.

In addition to earning credits faster, Acree said the accelerated format and everyday class attendance can be beneficial to a student's understanding of the class material.

"Students are frequently more motivated in the summer," Acree said, adding that most students who take summer session are "taking an extra step" that can be key to many students' timely graduation - a factor that lures many upperclassmen.

History senior Chelsea Allen was one of 4,750 students who participated in pre-session, which wrapped up last week with a total enrollment of 4,750 students.

"It was a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it," said Allen, who added that she noticed a definite difference in the mentality of summer school students.

"Everyone really got into our discussion and you could tell they really wanted to be there," Allen said, adding that the only draw back to summer class is that there is no time for procrastination when it comes to homework.

Despite the shortened time for homework, Allen said she thinks she got more out of her class by taking it in summer rather than in a regular semester.

Allen's pre-session instructor, graduate student Daniel Stratton, also found the experience of teaching summer school rewarding because it allowed him to get to know his students a little better.

"It's really difficult to know names in a class of 200 people," Stratton said, about being a teaching assistant in the regular semester. But by teaching a summer school class of about 30 students "you really get to know students, and they get to know you," he said.

Stratton also said summer session makes it easier for students to retain information.

"(Summer session) is relentless, but it really allows you to soak it up a little more," he said.

Aside from helping students get credits fast, having smaller class sizes and having more one-on-one time with the instructor, summer school also allows out-of-state students to load up on classes before the biggest tuition hike in the university's history.

Business economics senior Nicholas Bajema said he is taking three classes this summer in order to secure his graduation in four years and prevent a financial burden.

"I have to take it because with the tuition increase I can't afford another year and a half," said Bajema, who in the past took summer session to lighten his regular semester course load. But he felt this summer it wasn't a choice.

This year's summer session costs both in-state and out-of-state students about $135 per credit plus applicable fees and will increase proportionately next year due to the tuition hike.

Bajema also said he finds summer session to be typically easier because instructors focus more on the important material and less on unnecessary busy work.

"You get what's important and none of the b.s." said Bajema, adding that staying for at least pre-session seems to be a popular trend.

"It seems like school really isn't over until pre-session is over," Bajema said.

With the popularity of summer sessions, UA keeps most campus services open and operating on summer schedules to cater to summer students.

Students can also continue to live on campus in the designated summer session dorm, which this year is La Paz.

"The university definitely doesn't shut down in the summer," Acree said.