By Megan Steelman
Arizona Summer Wildcat
Ahh summer.
The smell of suntan lotion, the feel of sand beneath your feet, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore ... the lines at the ASUA bookstore.
For nearly 15,000 students this summer, vacation consists of going to class, taking notes and tests and generally dismissing the traditional idea of summer to further their education.
The University of Arizona Extended University has completed pre-session, and first session has now begun. The summer courses offer a way for students to catch up, keep up or get ahead.
"Many students take summer school as an opportunity to fill credits that they haven't in the school year," said Dana Ennis, an employee at the Extended University office. "Students like it because it is laid back and less stressful in general," Ennis said.
Laurie Katzen, a family studies senior, disagrees.
"Summer school is a lot of information in a short amount of time, it's easy to get stressed out," said Katzen.
Stressful or not, many students have no other choice.
"This is the only way that I can graduate in four years," said Kimberly Sanson, a family studies senior.
Many other summer students are in the same situation.
"If I want to graduate in four years I must take summer school. I can never get all of the classes I need during the school year," said history junior Aaron Abrams.
"I'm taking summer school to graduate in four years and to lighten my work load next fall," said Colleen Malloy, communications senior.
Not everyone is attending summer school to catch up. Incoming freshman Ashley Clancy has decided to jump-start her college career by taking classes in both first and second sessions.
"I just want to get ahead," said Clancy. "I also didn't want to live at home this summer."
No matter what the reasons are for attending summer school, the reality is that it is here. And for those students who really miss the sand beneath their feet, there's always the volleyball court in front of Arizona-Sonora.