When it comes to summer semesters at Auburn, students and professors agree smaller class sizes make the summer sacrifice worth it.
Abundant parking and a lack of traffic confirm fewer students are competing for class time and instructor attention.
The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) in Samford Hall said 10,695 students were enrolled for the summer semester in 2009.
Compared to the regular school year, only 44 percent of the student population attended summer courses in 2009, according to the OIR.
Bruce Sims, a senior in ROTC, found these circumstances appealing.
"The summer definitely has its advantages through smaller class sizes. You get a little more personal feel with the professors," Sims said.
Nan Fairley, a professor of journalism at Auburn for 18 years, agreed.
"I think that's probably the best advantage," Fairley said, noting that while summer semesters go by faster, they have more of a relaxed atmosphere.
The length of the summer session also appeals to experienced professors that began their careers on the quarter system.
"I used to teach on the quarter system many years ago and that was also fast," Fairley explained. "I think you can cover a lot of ground in a hurry in the summertime."
Students seeking to pass tough courses appreciate the 10-week schedule as well.
"I'd say take the ones you don't want to take at all," said senior in civil engineering Caleb Martin. "You can get through it quicker."
Though enrollment figures are not yet published for summer 2010, students sharing Sims' work ethic appear to have more classroom seats available at registration time.
"Not as many students as usual seem to have signed up for summer classes this year," Fairley said.
This might seem strange considering the new tuition structure that makes summer courses more affordable, but this opportunity to get ahead while taking more courses is not lost on current students.
"For the value, you get done quicker," Martin said.
Students that want to abbreviate their time at the University can benefit from the summer structure as well, by utilizing otherwise empty time.
Sims said summer courses can help students stay on a three-year deadline.
"What I'm looking to do is take as many classes as I can," Sims added.
Sims took advantage of the open seats, saying he takes summer classes in order minimize his overall time at the university.
The faculty approve of this attitude as well.
"Get one of those classes," Fairley said.
She urged summer students to take classes that are hard to register for in the fall and spring.
While summer courses hold many opportunities for students, Sims warned summer courses do have some drawbacks.
"Just beware before you go into thinking you can take any class during the summer that the course offerings are limited," he said.
Danika Deems, an undeclared junior in the college of science and math, cautioned her peers with the ultimate consideration when she said, "You might have to sacrifice some pool time."
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