Summer School -- Should I Be Worried?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>I've been admitted as a transfer student to UCLA, under philosophy. I did really well at my CCC and probably didn't try as hard as I could of.</p>

<p>I want to take summer school at UCLA for the following reasons:</p>

<p>1) Get ahead with some extra units.
2) Get to know the campus better.
3) Test the waters, see what I'm getting myself into.</p>

<p>But my professors and some close friends are telling me not to for these reasons:</p>

<p>1) I'm burnt out from CCC. 2 1/2 years of non stop school, I've stopped caring about CC work.
2) I need to chill and recharge, that means absolutely nothing over summer.</p>

<p>But the thing is, I get bored really, really easily. If I don't go to school for 4 weeks, I go stir crazy and begin to miss school. Which is pretty good, a little nerdy, but it's still a good thing to have. </p>

<p>One reason why I DON'T want to go to UCLA summer school:</p>

<p>1) I don't want to find out that I just can't cut it and that I'll fail.</p>

<p>I understand that it is a stupid reason and fear, because it may ultimately happen anyway (in fall, winter, spring) so why do I let it freak me out now?</p>

<p>I guess what I'm getting at is, is UCLA summer school crazy hard? I'm signed up to take Phil 100A with Kelsey (expecting it to be a challenge) and Asian American Studies 187B. Both are 4 units and they only meet MTWR.</p>

<p>Should I take only one class? I took summer school at my CC twice, once I took two classes at once and was hospitalized for a week in the middle of the session. I still got an A in both classes and I found it to be relatively easy.</p>

<p>I know UC students take summer school at a CC for a reason. Should I just take my professors' advice and not do anything at all? My family, parents and siblings, think I should take summer school and that I'll do just fine. But them versus my professors, the voices of experience...</p>

<p>All this guess work over taking the classes is enough to make me not want to even attempt it. But still, if I get a B in either class, I will lose my confidence. I just really want to start the year off well.</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>you aren't taking summer school the whole summer anyway, if i've read your post correctly.
so you get about 6 weeks off either way.
keep the drop deadlines in mind, try both classes, and if you need to reduce your load, drop one. also be aware that while it's only 2 classes at a time (as opposed to 3 or 4), they're condensed into 6 weeks instead of 10. so in the end, 2 classes per session works out to a full load, albeit for only part of the summer.
the environment over the summer should be more chill- fewer people here, extracurrics aren't really up and running. so you can focus on classes, and then get into the social environment later (or add whatever extracurrics you want).
also, don't expect to keep up straight A's in college. UC courses aren't CC courses, and it's a different environment. don't enter UCLA with an "all A's or i'm failing" attitude, or you won't be getting the most out of your experience. focus on what you're getting out of your classes, and the grades will come from that. focusing on the end result really is not that much fun, and causes more stress than it's worth.</p>

<p>doing too much = bad, but doing nothing, like you said, will make you stir crazy. so one session and two classes seems like a great balance.
so go for it! :)</p>

3

<p>=) thanks so much!</p>

<p>You've voiced the positives that my favorite professor/mentor told me. He too was a UCLA transfer student, so I take his suggestions to heart.</p>

<p>He told me not to lose my mind if I get a B. He said it will happen and it's ok if it does. It's going to be a rough transition for me to think like that, but I'm sure I'll be encouraged by a few B papers ;)</p>

<p>Also, you are correct, I'll be on campus (living in Reiber Hall, bad? lol) for June 23 to August 1.</p>

<p>I get a 3 week break prior and a 7 week brake after... yeah, I don't see it as stressful at all.</p>

<p>Thanks again!!</p>

4

<p>I transferred from CC last year and did both summer sessions A and C (though only 1 class each). It was a great way to transition into UCLA for me, and I highly recommend it. I made friends immediately, got familiar with campus/westwood, and got my living situation under control. I've been told that generally summer classes are a tiny bit easier (more condensed but easier to manage/focus on with smaller course-load). This summer I'm getting chem 153L and 153C out of the way because they are difficult classes I don't want during regular school year. Anyways, last summer by the time fall quarter rolled around, I felt I was a lot more prepared than the other new transfer students in my classes. It takes edge off of the awkward nervousness of being a newb at UCLA.</p>

<p>Make sure you check the drop dates so you can drop 1 class if you need to. Definitely take at least 1 class though. And I completely agree that straight As in CC do not translate into As at UCLA. Brace yourself to adjust your attitude on success... it is still hard for me to be proud of a B or C+ on my harder labs/science classes. GOOD LUCK!</p>

5

<p>the only "drop deadline" is the day of the final. so, drop your classes before you take your final exam and you should be OK.
[quote]
1) I don't want to find out that I just can't cut it and that I'll fail.

[/quote]
classes tend to be a bit easier in the summer anyway. youll be fine as long as youre not taking like 5-6 classes for the whole term. </p>

<p>fwiw, asian am classes tend to be on the easier side. idk about your professor. </p>

<p>what's your major (or what are your majors?)? is it imperative that you take this summer term? i think as long as you have a solid plan ahead, i dont see why you couldnt take the summer term before third and fourth year if you needed it.</p>

6

<p>i'm a philosophy major and it is pretty important that i take summer term.</p>

<p>I want to keep my regular school schedule as light as possible, max of 12 units per quarter. I will have to take one quarter with 13, but I don't think it'll get me. </p>

<p>The reason I don't want to take it the next summer, I might of stated it before, is because I really want a break between years at UCLA. CC wasn't very stressful and I can use a few more brain exercises.</p>

<p>I know exactly what I need to take and have made a schedule of classes I would like to take over the next two years, giving me enough units to graduate by the end of my second year. I suppose that's a solid plan.</p>

7

<p>emm, don't forget there are impacted classes in the summer xD</p>

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<p>classes in the summer arent considered impacted... as far as im concerned. writing II courses are impacted during the schoolyear - consequently, they have a 2nd week drop date. in the summer, you can drop at any moment of the 6-week period.</p>

9

<p>oh. my psych 115 is impacted. so... there are some things that are xD</p>