<p>My son, who is a college freshman, is attending a summer session at the University of Florida. He has been there 3 and a half weeks and it has worked out very well for him. I just got off the phone with him from what I am sure was the longest phone conversation he and I have ever had.</p>
<p>Parents of rising high school seniors may want to consider a summer session if sending their student to a large public U. next year. My son feels like he has gotten a head start on knowing his way around campus, understanding the "system" and having a better feel for the pace of college classes than he would have had waiting until the fall semester to begin. He sounds more confident and excited than I have ever heard him sound before. Needless to say, I am thrilled and relieved that his college start is a good one. </p>
<p>My son has found it fairly easy to make friends in this more relaxed environment, with "just" 10,000 students on campus, as opposed to 50,000 who will be there in the fall.</p>
<p>Of course, your results may vary. If your student is brimming with confidence and makes friends easily, a summer session may be a waste of time and money, but for the other half of the world, it may be worth investigating. </p>
<p>Best to all.</p>