While many students take the summer off, beginning May 27 others at Delta College will be opening Canvas and joining virtual classrooms instead of vacationing.
Whether aiming to graduate sooner, retake a challenging course, or maintain academic momentum, students are choosing summer classes to stay on track.
Delta’s summer courses, including many offered entirely online, provide flexibility and accessibility, allowing students to study from home, work around busy schedules, and accelerate their education. With the compressed format, coursework moves quickly, requiring discipline and organization.
For some, summer classes are a strategic move to graduate faster.
J.J. Barrera, a political science major, is taking 10 units this summer to stay on track with his goal of finishing Delta College in 2.5 years.
“I want to make the most of my time and stay on track with my academic goals,” Barrera said.
He’s not alone.
Many students use summer to accelerate their education, especially those planning to transfer to a four-year university. According to Delta College’s Admissions & Records office, 18,859 students enrolled in summer courses in 2023.
Balancing Flexibility and Fast-Paced Learning
Most of the summer catalogue at Delta is fully online, offering students the ability to study from anywhere.
“Online learning has greatly improved my experience,” said Eric Tigger Nietzel, an environmental science major. “For students like me with unconventional schedules, being able to complete coursework from home is a game changer.”
However, flexibility doesn’t mean summer classes are easy. The accelerated format condenses a four-month semester into just four to eight weeks, requiring students to keep up with rapid deadlines.
Barrera, who juggles multiple courses, relies on strict time management to stay ahead.
“I create a schedule that balances classwork, studying, and personal activities,” he said. “Setting realistic deadlines and using tools to stay organized helps me keep up.”
The Challenge of a Condensed Semesterly
For both students and faculty, the fast pace of summer courses presents unique challenges.
“For teachers, the challenge is never really feeling caught up,” said Tara Cuslidge-Staiano, a Mass Communication professor. “And for students, that could be the case too.”
Nietzel agrees time management is crucial.
“The biggest challenge is the accelerated speed,” he said. “You’re doing the same amount of work two or three times faster, which can be overwhelming.”
Is It Worth It?
Despite the challenges, students say summer classes are a worthwhile investment in their academic future.
Nietzel considers summer courses an essential part of his academic routine.
“I make my class selections carefully to maximize my goals while avoiding overload,” he said. “It’s a fine line, but the extra work is worth it in the long term.”
Open registration for Delta College’s summer session begins March 31 with priority registration happening the week of March 24.
Students can register for classes through the MyDelta portal. To view a full list of available summer courses, visit the class search tool at https://deltacollege.search.collegescheduler.com.
