While some University of Memphis students spend this summerkicking back, hanging out or working, other students, likepsychology major Danzi Cutter, are spending the summer fulfillinggraduation requirements.
The reasons for summer enrollment vary from students trying tograduate in a hurry to the belief that summer classes are easier.Others may enroll in transferable classes at local two-yearcolleges, like Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC), toreduce tuition costs.
"It's not really the classes that are easier. It's just that youhave time to manage," said Cutter, who is taking a summer sociologyclass to graduate sooner.
Students may also use summer sessions to repeat classes theyfailed during the school year or subjects they find difficult. It'smuch easier for students to concentrate in a month-long summerclass than for three or four months during the regular semester,said junior marketing major Tina Phelan.
Phelan is taking two classes this summer that have beendifficult for her -- accounting and calculus.
"I just seem to do better in the summer," she said.
Either way, Phelan said summer school is easier and moreconvenient. Because she works, Phelan can take summer classes atnight so they don't interfere with her schedule.
"I know it's a lot of money," she said. But for some, summerschool is not just a good option -- it's the only way.
Cost is also a reason many U of M students choose to attendsummer courses at nearby community colleges, where generaleducation requirements can be completed for almost half the priceof those on The U of M schedule.
Sophomore marketing and sales major Lakista Green attends The Uof M during the regular spring and fall semesters. But for summer,she said she chose Southwest Tennessee Community College "mainlyfor the cost."
The U of M charges $199 per summer credit hour, bringing thecost of a single three-credit course to $597. The same three-creditcourse taken at STCC, which charges $109 per hour, would total $327-- a cost savings of $270.
"I don't think the classes (at The U of M) justify the cost,"Green said.
However, The U of M may be the only place a student can takethat last class needed for graduation.
For Leigh Anne Brewer, senior sports and leisure studies major,this summer marks the last semester of her undergraduate career.Brewer needs the class she's taking this summer to graduate inAugust. And although this is her last class at The U of M and thefirst time she's ever paid for classes, Brewer said $600 for oneclass at The U of M is not justified.
