Summer coursework pros and cons
Going to college while on active duty was impossible for former Marine Sgt. Lance Zaal, so the 24-year-old William & Mary senior made up for lost time when he left uniform.
Saving up three months of leave prior to his August 2006 separation date, Zaal returned from a tour in Iraq that May and started summer school at the Williamsburg, Va., college less than three weeks later.
Attending summer school gave Zaal a jump-start on his path to a college degree. And while many military students might want to take a break after returning from a deployment or preparing to separate, the fact remains that taking summer classes can make the rest of your higher-education journey more rewarding and less stressful.
Some resources to weigh the pros and cons of summer school:
Suite101.com and U.S. News & World Report have great articles that help you ponder your warm-weather education options.
eHow.com offers a how-to guide on applying for those who decide to take the plunge.
Check them out for some great advice on whether you should use your summer spare time to hit the books or hit the beach.
