Take Summer Classes with StraighterLine

Does it seem like the start of the school year is suddenly just around the corner? Feeling stressed because you intended to enroll in classes this summer but never quite got around to it? Somehow, summer seems like it should be endless, but the truth is, it only lasts around 12 weeks. If you need to earn credit this summer–don't worry–you still have time.  It’s absolutely possible to meet your summer college goals, enroll in a course, and earn college credit. We'll show you how.

Take a Good Look at Why You Have Not Started Your Course

Is your schedule, or lack of schedule, getting in the way of your course plans? For many students, setting aside a specific time to complete your required academic work is essential. Or perhaps you have set aside time, but are having difficulty completing what needs to be done? Some students study best in the evenings, for example, after they put their kids to bed, but realistically speaking, you need to look at when you perform best. If the “right” time for you is early morning - manage your time accordingly. If you identify what has prevented you from signing up for the courses you need, you’ll be better able to give yourself a break, move on, and seek out the kind of support you need to get started - and move forward with your degree.

You Can Earn College Credit in Less Than 30 Days (Even Complete in Weeks)

If you have a month left before your fall semester begins at your school, now is the time to create a simple and realistic online course completion plan. On average, it takes 4-6 weeks for students to complete a course with us, though many of our students are able to complete courses in less than 30 days, some are able to finish their class in weeks. Because our college courses are self-paced, you can set your own timeline, focus on your goals, and set a schedule that will work for you

Be Realistic About Your Goals

If it’s crunch time, you should be realistic about which classes you need to take versus want to to take. Be strategic about which course you must finish this summer and which one you can take a few extra weeks to complete.

Use Your Support System

Now is the time to use your support system. Your friends, family, and colleagues can be your biggest advocates and sources of support. Successful students often acknowledge how how going back to school is a team effort. Also, be sure to start using student support at StraighterLine right away. We're available 7 days a week via chat, phone, or in-course request and can help you move through any challenges that may arise. The important thing is to get started, and keep going even when the going gets tough!

Which Course Should You Start Today?

If you need to complete a course before the end of summer, consider selecting a course that is often finished in a quicker time frame. While there is never a guarantee that you’ll be able to complete a course quickly--this depends on many factors, particularly how much time you are able to devote--here is a list of courses that StraighterLine students often complete in a month or less:

Cultural Anthropology

This course provides a solid introduction for students who are new to the branch of cultural anthropology. Topics include anthropological theories, ethnocentrism and culture, language and communication, economic and political systems, kinship and descent, race and ethnicity, globalization, and others. This course is commonly taken for humanities and/or social science gen-ed credit.

United States History I

This course focuses on the US prior to 1861. Students learn about European exploration and colonization of the New World and examine the impact on Europe, Africa, and the young United States. The emergence of political, religious, economic, and social institutions is discussed. Specific causes of the American Revolution are examined, as is the resulting impact on politics, the economy, and society up to the Civil War.

Medical Terminology

A popular course for students planning to pursue a nursing or other health science degree, this course introduces elements of medical terminology, including the etymology of terms. Students learn to identify and explain the terms used for the integumentary, respiratory, nervous, reproductive, endocrine, urinary, digestive, lymphatic, hematic, immune, and musculoskeletal systems. Students also define and describe the function of each system of the body.

Introduction to Religion

This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of cultural religious phenomena in a global world. Commonalities and differences among religious traditions and contexts are analyzed, and various religious traditions and points of view are compared and contrasted. Philosophical formulations, sacred writings, religious experiences, ethics, rituals, and art are also discussed. This is a popular course for students needing humanities credits.

Introduction to Philosophy

This course is a critical introduction to the field of philosophical inquiry. It examines the history of Western thought, from the famous Greek philosophers up to cutting-edge intellectuals of today. Thematic topics include metaphysics, epistemology, free will and determinism, evil and the existence of God, personal identity, ethical values, and political philosophy. The course concludes with an analysis of different perspectives, including Eastern philosophies, and post-colonial thought.

What About English Classes?

While some StraighterLine courses may be easier to complete in a shorter amount of time, some courses typically require more time--this is often due to elements such as lab reports, presentations, and/or written work that must be evaluated by the highly qualified faculty who work as subject-matter experts in the courses. With this in mind, here are a few courses you might avoid if your goal is to get done ASAP. However, if the school you plan on attending has rolling, or open enrollment (and many of our partner colleges do), you should consider completing these courses, as they are among the most important college courses you can take, and will help set the stage for college success:

English Composition I

While this course provides an excellent in-depth approach to various writing genres, it does require students to write a selection of essays including a comprehensive research paper. Due to the amount of writing and qualitative feedback, this course may require some additional time to complete successfully.

English Composition II

Similar to ENG101, this course requires students to write a minimum number of essays. In addition, students must read and write about the novel Frankenstein, which can add some time for successful completion.

Business Communication

A very popular course, BUS105 requires students to use a professional tone to write a selection of business-style documents, all of which are graded by subject-matter experts.

In addition, the science lab courses (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Physics) will often require additional time for completing the experiments and having your lab work graded. Our grading policy is that you should expect your written work to be evaluated within a window of 3 - 5 business days, so it’s a great idea for you to work this into your schedule as you plan for these courses. For all you students who are feeling stressed about getting some of your required courses out of the way, please recognize that not only is there still time to enroll in the courses you need, you still have time to complete them this summer and earn college credit, especially if you start now.