Whether it is best for a student to focus on completing their education during their summers away from school or to focus on working and providing income?

It sounds as though you'd considered and weighed your options very heavily. Two factors I would consider in addition. First, if you prolong your education you may be able to gain more exposure in your field which could benefit you in the courses you will embark. The upper level courses may be more relevant to you through your experience in the field as opposed to abstract in what you will come to experience once you enter the workforce. Second, prolonging your education will also prolong when you have to start paying back your student loans. Depending on the type of loans you took, you may be accruing interest on them each day since you acquired (unsubsidized) or the interest may not begin accruing until you graduate (subsidized).

Finally, does your school offer graduate assistant positions? This way you could work for the college/university (perhaps even doing something associated to your field) while they cover the cost of tuition.

I completed my education on a fast track, similar to what you are describing. I obtained my BSBA in 3 years working at the college throughout the school year and during the summer at home. I did this by taking 2 courses at a community college prior to beginning my first year and overloading credits during the fall and spring semesters 20-25 credits per. I had unsubsidized loans each year which accrued interest I paid down each summer. I then obtained my MBA, MM, and MBA the following year working as a graduate assistant for the college. I chose to condense my education in order to obtain all of the credentials I thought would aid me in success in the same time frame as my normal college education so I wouldn't have to go back.

If it's possible to get relevant experience over the summer, that can be a definite asset. Even summer jobs that aren't inherently connected to the field can give us insights on the type of work we like, how different organizations function, and build professional relationships. They can also be resume builders as they can help us build transferable and soft-skills. Thus, there may be advantages beyond the financial aspect. For example, when I was in graduate school I worked part-time for a technology support company. It wasn't in my field, but the computer skills I cultivated there were really helpful later on.

Additionally, I am a fan of taking a mental break from school over the summer so long as it's manageable. Each semester can be pretty intense, and after 10 months of study, it is nice to have that mental space freed up to work on more creative professional development projects , such as writing articles. This can be done even if one is working because the nature of most day jobs are so different than that of graduate school. I teach at a university and take the summers off from teaching. I find I have more time for professional development over the summer, and the break helps me avoid the burnout that so many in academia face.

Your college's career services and financial aid offices may have more insights and leads on potential employment. If it is possible to work just a little over the course of the academic year and then work more over the summer while taking just 1-2 classes, that may be an option to consider as well.

Hi Joseph!

When I have students ask me this question, I find it is helpful to really understand the financial impact. Summer tuition can sometimes be less expensive than adding on a full semesters tuition. I would suggest you start with the bursar's website and calculate the total cost for both of your options. There should be a full breakdown of the cost per credit and fees in a fall/spring semester as well as cost info for summer rates. I would also suggest you connect with your academic advisor or faculty mentor- do they know of any ways that you could supplement your tuition costs? Are there any graduate assistantships available, any faculty with grant money to use on research assistants? Identify some key people at your institution who know the ins and outs of who and what is available on campus as ask them too!!

Take full load of electives during the summer months. If opportunity arises, work part-time in the library.

Hello Joseph,

I found that my answer to this question was somewhere in the middle.

I can share what I did for both of my graduate degrees. While pursuing my master's degree, I worked part-time (20 to 25 hours) and studied (no more than 9 hours each semester), inclusive of during the summers (one was a graduate assistantship and the other was as a customer service rep). It was precisely that experience that helped me attain a professional position with ease at graduation and graduate in a timely fashion as well. Furthermore, if the job role is in an area related to your major it can provide practical context that catalyzes what is being taught in your classes. This means the learning might even stick better. By the time I pursued my doctorate, I was working full-time so I chose a program that allowed me to work and study full-time. If you are currently in a traditional doctoral program, my recommendation would be to work part-time (no more than 20 hours) and continue to study, but not at the tip top course load, but not at the bottom load either. I got a 4.0 GPA for both my master's and doctorate, so it is certainly doable.

Keep in mind that, "For every one credit hour in which you enroll, you will spend approximately two to three hours outside of class studying. Therefore, to help determine the course load most appropriate for you, use the formula: 3 credit hours (1 course) = 3 hours in class per week = 6-9 hours study time per week" (https://www.umflint.edu/advising/surviving_college). And, use that formula as a guide to ensure you have enough study hours in congruence to work hours.