While not every student wants to take up part of their precious summer break by taking yet another class, summers present a prime chance for academic enhancement outside the pressures of the school year. For motivated students, taking a strategic summer class can help them develop academic skills, explore a potential college major, or dive into an additional area of interest. Whether in-person or online, a summer class can serve many purposes.

Here are 8 reasons why a student might consider enrolling in a summer course:

1. To get ahead on graduation requirements or take an interesting elective like photography that you can’t squeeze in otherwise.
2. To retake a class you struggled with the first time to replace the grade and open up your upcoming school year schedule for a class you’re excited about.
3. To take a prerequisite to access more advanced classes during the school year, like completing algebra II so you can take pre-calculus during the school year.
4. To take a class that will likely be difficult for you so you can focus on only that one class.
5. To explore potential career interests like business, coding, or forensic science through specialized summer programs or online courses.
6. To free space in your schedule to allow you to double up in classes related to a potential college major, such as laboratory science or math classes. 
7. To preview a class and not get credit for it but rather boost your confidence and knowledge for when you take it during the school year.
8. To meet other students interested in the same things you are.

While giving up your break and extra costs require consideration, a summer class can pave the way for more enriching academic opportunities during the school year and potentially become valuable fit-to-major additions to your resume. Online platforms like Coursera and EdX offer specialized subjects at low costs. Your local community college may offer courses that check that satisfy a high school requirement.