Not every summer schools provides you with as much learning as you might want, especially if you’re going out seeking knowledge on your own accord. The good news is, you aren’t limited to your local school. Here’s a look at a few places you can find summer schools classes.
Nearby Colleges or Universities
Many post-secondary institutions offer classes to younger students as a way to get ahead of the game before you even start college. These classes not only help you get ahead in your current classes, but you’ll already have a grasp of what college is like—instead of being shoved into the deep end with the rest of the freshmen. Contact a college near you to find out what age groups they serve, what classes they offer, and the cost. If you aren’t worried about receiving the credit, you may be able to sit in on a class with special permission from the professor.
Online Programs
Online programs can be a great alternative to in person summer school classes. They give you the opportunity to work on a lot of things on your own time, rather than having to sit through class. This doesn’t mean you won’t be expected to attend online meetings or communicate with other students or the teacher via email or message boards, but it can be a little easier if you have a summer job or other obligations.
Alternatively, there are a variety of programs designed specifically to provide high school (and younger) students with quality summer school courses online. It may not count for college credit, but it also tends to be much less expensive. Programs like K12 or the National Summer Learning Association offer a variety of classes for different ages.
YouTube
If you are interesting in taking classes for the sake of learning and not so much for the credit, schools like MIT and Harvard upload video logs of their classes onto YouTube channels. This allows anyone to take a whole variety of classes, from obscure literature to particle physics from the safety of your computer chair for absolutely free. Many of their websites offer the corresponding course work so you can solve math problems or write a report about a novel on your own time. Again, you aren’t going to get anything but a new skill set, but it’s still a great way to stave off summer learning loss.
Get a Job or Internship
Not your typical summer school, but a way to learn nonetheless. Finding a summer job can be especially important if you don’t plan to go to college or have no idea what you want to do with your life. Depending on what you find, you may be working on math (as a cashier), public relations (sales floor specialist), or even honing managerial skills if you really excell. Some companies offer programs can eventually pay for your college or guarantee a nice internship down the road.
Or, do a summer internship. This experience teaches real-world skills you will need down the road, and helps you find out what you want to do. It also looks impressive when you’re applying for colleges that you are ahead of the game and interested in your future.
