Starting college early (summer semester)

I don’t have summer plans yet so I figured that it might make sense for me to get ahead on gen eds, get used to life on campus, and meet some people by starting college one semester early. I’ll be going to Geneseo next year and I’ve already found open courses that would satisfy requirements. I’m going to email the school to ask about the logistics (tuition, room and board…) of all this, so I’m really not looking for answers about that.

I’m more interested in whether or not starting college one semester early would be worth it for the reasons I mentioned above. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? How many first year students or other undergrads are on campus during the summer? How is it similar to or different from college life during other semesters? Outside of class, I would probably try to find a job in the area and do something athletic.

I’m thinking of taking three courses: music of the world’s peoples (on campus, currently four people registered, satisfies both fine arts and other world civilizations requirements), intro to behavioral statistics (online, currently 9 people registered, satisfies mathematics requirements), and understanding poetry (on campus, currently empty, would take it purely for interest). The registration deadlines for each are in one month. Does anyone have anything to say about online classes offered by Geneseo?

I didn’t go to Geneseo, but I’ll answer some of your questions based on my experience.

How many first year students or other undergrads are on campus during the summer? About 250 first years at my school, number of undergrads total is unknown.

How is it similar to or different from college life during other semesters? Very different. It sucks and nobody is there. There is no “college life” because majority of the student population takes summer courses at a community college at home.