Lifelong Learning @ UNB
UNB College of Extended Learning

Even before the ink dries on the last exam paper in April, university students are shifting to summer mode. Thoughts turn to work placements, travelling, visiting family, spending time with friends and other activities that are far away from a classroom.

For many students, the summer months are sacred and are all about taking a break to relax and recharge their batteries. For others—both traditional and non-traditional students alike—this time is a golden opportunity to earn credit hours.

For UNB Nursing student, Mataya Stewart, the decision to enrol in a summer term course was a no-brainer.

"The specific class that I took only lasted three weeks so the entire course was finished around the last or second to last week of May. In my opinion, summer doesn't really start until June so if I was able to finish an entire course before summer even really started...I was going to do it!", says Stewart.

Each year we survey hundreds of students to hear why they choose to take a summer course at UNB. Without fail, finishing a course in just a few weeks tops the list. The condensed, accelerated and more engaging classes leave students with plenty of time to enjoy the summer.

According to our survey, here are the top reasons to take a course during Summer Term:

• Reduce course load in fall and winter terms.
  Taking a course during summer can free up your fall and winter schedule, so it is easier to balance work and study.
  
  
• Catch up on credit hours.  
  Maybe you had a co-op opportunity you couldn't pass up. Maybe you needed to lighten your workload for a term. Maybe you transferred out of a different program. Whatever the reason, summer courses allow you an opportunity to get back on track for graduation.
  
  
• Get a hard course out of the way.  
  Taking time in the summer to focus your attention on a tough class you're worried about is a great strategy. Summer classes tend to have fewer students and a more relaxed atmosphere which can help make tackling a challenging topic seem less daunting.
  
  
• Pick up a required course.  
  Whether the course is a prerequisite, a co-op requirement or a necessity as a research student, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
  
  
• Work at your own pace.  
  UNB Online offers flexibility and accessibility so you can enjoy summer while earning credits toward your degree with online courses!
  
  

UNB's selection of in-person and online course offerings makes summer an ideal time to find a course that works for you. Check out the course selections in our online summer schedule. Have questions? Contact us at extend@unb.ca.