student development theory

For most of my career in Student Affairs, I was a year-round employee working in Residence Life. Unlike some Res Life folks, who get summers off, I was usually involved in one way or another in running the summer program. This allowed me to develop some different perspectives about college life, and led me to believe that the best time to start college is actually during the summer session.

And here are 5 Reasons Why:

1. Many schools have special programs to get first-year students involved on campus, and used to the academic rigors of college. In these a student may be a part of a small group of other first-year students, who are studying the same major. Learning the study skills many of these programs teach is probably the best single reason to enroll during summer school.
2. Even though you’ll only be a semester ahead of your peers, you’ll have the lay of the land, and can be a good resource to your classmates and floormates.
3. Camps and conferences on campus make the days interesting. You may see this the most in the dining hall, because campers and conference attendees usually eat together, at the same time, and are often identifiable by t-shirts and nametags. It’s interesting to see packs of volleyball campers walking around on their breaks, with their kneepads pushed down to the top of their shoes, or hundreds of high school-aged kids in their blue Future Farmers of America jackets.
4. The pace is fast but manageable. Having classes meet every day also stimulates the mind.
5. The weather is nice and there are usually fun things nearby to do–like July 4th Celebrations, Arts Festivals, trips to nearby amusement parks, or even hanging out by the pool.
   

What do you think about starting college during summer? Good or bad? Please share your thoughts, experiences,  or other reasons in the comments.