The summer enrollment policy might not be ideal for everyone, but it brings many advantages for students in the end. ORACLE GRAPHIC/CAROLINA MOLERO ROCA

When I was initially admitted into the summer B term instead of the fall term as an incoming freshman at USF, I remember feeling disappointed. 

To me, the idea of a summer term meant spending all of my time indoors doing online classwork instead of enjoying the break.

However, as I prepare to take my last few classes to fulfill the summer term requirement, I am realizing that my perspective on this policy has changed quite a bit since last year.

Due to Florida’s 6.016 Summer Session Enrollment policy, students entering the State University System with less than 60 credits are required to take a minimum of nine credit hours at one or more summer sessions.

At USF, classes are offered both online and in-person to fulfill this requirement. 

Still, students are able to submit a waiver to be exempt from this requirement in case of summer employment, a program not offering summer classes and personal or financial hardship. 

Related: OPINION: How to survive class registration at USF 

I was initially concerned about whether I would succeed in my first summer term at USF since I wasn’t used to doing schoolwork in the summer.

However, the flexibility of being able to take these classes online allowed me to work a job, balance my classes and still spend time with family and friends.

This allowed me to still enjoy my break at home while also getting ahead in the classes required for my degree.

Classes in the summer term are also accelerated, allowing students to complete credits in four to ten weeks instead of the usual 16-week term.

I chose to take beginner classes for my degree, such as Introduction to Literature and Composition I during my summer term last year. By doing that, I found that the fast pace kept me more engaged than a slower one might have. 

For incoming freshmen, taking these classes in person also allows for the advantage of making friends and familiarizing yourself with the campus before the chaos of the fall semester. 

If a student were to change their major, the summer term could be used to catch up on required classes for the major without further delaying their graduation date. 

Related: USF prepares for major changes to gen ed curriculum by 2026 

For me, taking classes in the summer term allowed me to get ahead in my degree and set my graduation date a semester earlier than I planned. 

This brought an unexpected advantage for me, as I can save both money and time by graduating in three and a half years instead of four.

While there were still some days that I felt discouraged about spending part of my summer doing schoolwork, I found that the hard work was worth it in the end. 

Summer classes aren’t ideal for everyone, and that’s okay. However, recognizing the benefits of this requirement has helped me make the best of it.