<p>I'm considering taking chem 151L during the summer, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea. On the one hand I think it might help because I'll be able to focus on just that subject, but on the other hand I assume the class would be faster paced (the summer term is shorter, right?).</p>
<p>Anyone had any experience with summer sessions? Would I be better off taking the class during the regular year if chemistry is already a weak subject for me?</p>
<p>Honestly, people rave about summer session but in my experience you have to be REALLY dedicated to it. </p>
<p>I took Physics 53 over the summer...and it was hell...I'm not gonna lie. It's really fast paced...not to the point where you can't finish stuff but like...it seems like you always have a test. Plus you have lab 2 days a week which is kind of frustrating. All in all...it wasn't that the material/class was harder because it was done in 6 weeks instead of a semester...it was more the lack of motivation. You have a week of vacation and are thrown into summer sesh. It's hot outside...there's nothing going on on the weekends...for me it was a miserable experience to the point where I packed up and went home instead of sticking around for Physics 54. </p>
<p>I mean, it can either be a very good thing of a very bad thing. If YOU think you'll do better you probably will....but if you're hesitant about it and not quite ready to give up your summer to studying quite yet you may want to do it during the school year. I'd weigh the pros and cons of it.</p>
<p>You may want to see WHO is teaching as well...for instance if it's Dr. Sebahar or Dr. Roy I'd say go for it, but if it's Dr. Coltart or someone equally frustrating I'd say avoid it.</p>
<p>I don't mind giving up my summer because I wouldn't really have much of one anyway (it's either this or a job for me).</p>
<p>Do you think taking a foreign language in addition to the chem class would be too much?</p>
<p>I knew a few people who did foreign languages over the summer...and they actually thought it was pretty tough. Not like, tough material wise, but if you think about it foreign languages have a TON of busy work in the first place...so they had to spend A LOT of time on those classes. Most of the people I knew did either 1 or 2, so a 3rd or 4th level class may be more manageable with orgo. </p>
<p>If you know you can commit yourself completely to the class it's definitely a great idea for you then...you'll really be able to focus on doing well.</p>
<p>i took orgo 151 and 152 5his past summer. stayed both terms. i concur with the above opinion. i think it was too fast-paced for me; even if it was the only course i had to take. and the lazy summer atmosphere wasn't very conducive to my work ethic. but some people preferred it and did very well. i totally agree that it is a personal choice. and yes, science+foreign lang= hell, most likely. and labs are death. sorry if i'm making this sound like a terrible idea. just my own personal take. :-/</p>
<p>I think you'll find peoples opinions are about 50/50 when it comes to the science classes. Alot of people do really like them because you can really focus on one thing...but I think you have to be an INCREDIBLY dedicated person with your eye on the prize...and not much of a desire to let anything get in your way. You never really know what kinda person you're gonna be until you get there. I thought I could REALLY focus on physics and turned out hating it, being bored to tears, never wanting to work, and just wanting to go home. My motivation was zero. I think the problem is a lot of people are like "Summer Session=A" which is DEFINITELY not the case. It really is legitimately Duke if you're taking science classes. </p>
<p>I did have friends who took Econ and stuff like that and found that it, however, useful and enjoyable...nothing too stressful.</p>
<p>If you're a premed, your summers should really be reserved for extracurriculars. You have all year to show adcoms that you're a good student. Summers are the precious time when you can show them something else.</p>
<p>bluedevilmike - sorry to hijack the thread a little but I have a question relating to your answer. My daughter is a freshman pre med. This summer she is planning to work the whole summer as a staff member on a service project she has volunteered on for a week each summer for 5 years. They repair housing for really needy people. As a staff member she has to assess requests and help decide whose house gets repaired, help organise the volunteer groups who come from all over, trouble shoot etc. It is not medical related at all. She is paid a small stipend (not even minimum wage) so it is not volunteer but nothing like she could earn in another job.. How will med school adcoms look at that? She is going to do it whatever because it is very important to her but I am curious (keep reading about how important medical type experience is) as to how the adcoms would view it. I should probably post this in the pre med forum.</p>
<p>I don't know of any ECs available for me to do in the summer.</p>