Valley Star

Issue date: 5/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Paul Olden LOOKING FOR HELP - Valley College student Jorge Guerrero, right, helps Kim Ramsey get the school's summer catalog for her son, Kimati, who is a student at Notre Dame High School. Kimati took a class at Valley last summer.

Summer session offers Valley College students a chance to catch up, get ahead and do it all in half the time.

Split into two five week sessions meeting Monday through Friday, summer courses are often overlooked and underappreciated. For all those looking for a way to make the most of their time, summer session offers many benefits and these tips can help students get the most bang for their buck.

1-Take lower tier classes and get them out of the way. If you have any 101 classes left to take, summer is the perfect time. The accelerated pace won't be too harsh for the beginning courses and leaves you free to take higher level classes during the regular semesters.

2-Try something new. If you are unsure of your major, try taking a variety of courses over the summer and see if something really interests you. If that Astronomy course doesn't live up to your expectations, just remember - it was only five weeks of your time at Valley, and it still transfers over to the UC and CSU systems.

3-Smaller class sizes means more attention. Many summer classes do not fill completely, so if you want more one-on-one time, this is the session for you.

4- If you need to catch up on your credits or just want to stay ahead of the curve, the summer sessions

provides a great opportunity do so There are countless transferable classes on offer, so you can quickly take those courses you just found out you need to transfer to USC. Graduating on time, or early, was never so easy.

5-Everyone knows how frustrating it is to wait for a spot to open up, and there is nothing worse than having to run to class all the way from Parking Lot G. Not so much a tip, but a blessing - there is no need for a parking permit during the summer, and the lots are not nearly as full as they are in fall or spring..

6 - Both out of state and international students know how expensive tuition can be during fall and spring, but in summer, they can pay the same fees as a California resident - just $20 per unit. Just remember, you must take six units or less over the whole summer, or you will have to pay full out-of-state tuition for all units taken.

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