<p>Hey y'all. </p>
<p>I just posted a similar question to this in a different forum, but I wanted to ask my fellow engineering majors for any input as well.</p>
<p>I am trying to plan out what to do this summer; I am a graduating senior and a chemical engineering major this upcoming fall. During the summer months, I plan to get a part-time job, workout, read, and get some much-needed rest. </p>
<p>However, should I also take a summer course at a community college? I would like to take chemistry 101 at my local community college in order to get a head start (so that I will have time to possible pursue a double major or minor, study abroad, and possibly co-ops later on), to get a refresher, to not let my brain lose focus during the long summer months, to avoid the large lecture hall intro courses at my school, and to also save money. However, would this be a good idea or should I just wait until college to take it, since chem is foundational for my major? Anyone have experience with junior college/ summer courses? (I am not a pre-med btw, so I don't think this will be a factor, as I've heard that pre-meds should take prerequisites at a 4 year college.) oh and it would not take up the entire summer, as it would end in July.</p>
<p>Oh and btw I asked, and the credits do transfer. They also do not count as a letter grade, community college grades count as pass/fail at my four year college.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>Relax this summer and hang out with your friends and enjoy being a kid while you can. In all likelihood you will grow apart from a lot of those friends and will no longer have summers off. No need to accelerate that process any further.</p>
<p>What @boneh3ad said.</p>
<p>If you really want to get a head start and/or do something academic and/or get your feet wet, check out a textbook on general chemistry from a local library and leaf through it.</p>
<p>Relax and have a fun summer. If you get bored, do an online free class. </p>
<p>So it’s really that poor of an idea to take a summer class? I took AP chem this year, so I wanted to go straight into it so that I wouldn’t forget any info (not taking the AP test; too many others I would rather focus on)</p>
<p>I would do the chem 101 course if you can get a written guarantee that it will transfer: it allows you more freedom in course planning and Chem 101 by itself will not consume too much of your time in summer.</p>
<p>The time between HS and college is really unique and special. However, if you’re chomping at the bit and can’t wait to start, then it could pay benefits later when you have to compete for internships and co-ops for the summer after sophomore year. Taking a class between freshman and sophomore year makes a lot of sense to me for the same reason and doesn’t cost you this special time. </p>
<p>My own kids got developed severe senioritis the moment the last HS exam ended and just basked in blissful nothingness recharging and vegetating all summer. They were both completely chomping at the bit when school started and both did well freshman year. </p>