The necessary classes a summer school student should take, as well as the summer school experience, are often dependent on the student’s needs, according to two Bakersfield College professors and a counselor.
New students, especially those coming straight out of high school, should take English, reading and math classes first, according to BC counselor Sandra Sierra.
Sierra also advised transfer students from universities to take classes that fulfill general education requirements, as they can fulfill similar requirements at the university level for a lower cost, adding that continuing students should take any necessary classes that are available.
“I always try to encourage students to take classes when they’re offered,” said Sierra.
If a student has a strong assessment or shows good grades in previous semesters, Sierra would recommend that the student take a full load, but would probably feel otherwise for a student who has low assessment scores or has not performed well.
BC communication professor Michelle Bresso is teaching COMM B1 (Public Speaking) and COMM B8 (Small Group Communication) sections this summer. She said that summer school is great for students looking to focus on their major.
Since students are only allowed to take a maximum of seven units in summer school, it “allows you to immerse yourself in your classes,” she said.
While summer school only lasts six weeks, the classes are longer and take place from Monday through Thursday, equating to the same number of hours as a fall or spring section.
However, as BC history professor Randal Beeman, who is teaching HIST 18B (History of California) and HIST 17B (History of United States, 1870 – Today) sections this summer said, “The reality is, it’s hard to get in the same material.”
Bresso said that while there is some time for flexibility, teaching summer school requires being on point, adding that “every segment of the teaching time is precious.”
Beeman and Bresso both felt that summer school students, on average, show a lot of focus, since they come primarily from out of high school and four-year schools.
Bresso said that they are typically “very committed” and few drop, adding that “it’s almost like teaching an honors class.”
Beeman said that by teaching summer school, “I can figure out what the university wants” and felt that “it’s important for full-time professors to take summer school and night classes” in order to be exposed to a different group of students and learning styles.