Studying, Sunsets, and Kickball: Making the Most of Summer Semesters
I have always claimed that summer is the best season of the year. Maybe I’m a little biased — I was born in July — but something about those three months makes them stand out from the rest. The days are longer and filled with more color, from the intense pinks and oranges of seaside sunsets to the freshly bloomed trees that line the streets in shades of green. City blocks and public parks become alive with people, drawn out of their homes after months of cold. It’s no surprise, then, that some of my favorite memories at Northeastern have occurred during the summer semesters.
This June, I will wrap up the second and final summer semester of my undergraduate career. I was given the option to register for summer courses by my academic advisor, who emphasized that it would allow me to complete multiple co-ops while finishing my studies in four years. As I normally emphasize on my tours, everyone’s journey at Northeastern is unique, and whether someone takes classes during the summer depends on their schedule and how they choose to complete their degree requirements. That said, summer semesters are an effective way to gain credits without the commitment of courses during the fall and spring. Each summer is split into two seven-week semesters, Summer 1 and Summer 2, where students typically only take one or two classes Monday through Thursday, leaving plenty of time to unwind or socialize.
A breezy summer walk on the Charles River Esplanade after a hectic week in classes!
Despite falling outside the traditional fall and spring semesters, summers on Northeastern’s Boston Campus are rife with activity. Many of us take summer classes at one point or another during our studies, meaning there’s always a friendly face sunbathing in Centennial Common, working away in Snell Library, or catching up with a friend over coffee at Tatte. Campus favorites also tend to stay open during this time, meaning daily trips to the Hayden Hall Dunkin’ do not have to stop in June.
A number of clubs and organizations keep student engagement strong by continuing to run after the spring semester wraps up. Currently, I am a member of an all-Husky Ambassador intramural kickball team, where we compete against other teams of Northeastern students who are in Boston between semesters. Summer kickball has become a vital social outlet for me, strengthening my current relationships and allowing me to connect with people I would not have met otherwise. My friends and I have also taken advantage of the free Ben and Jerry’s available once a week in Centennial Common during the summer, which has been perfect for beating the heat.
A night game with the Husky Ambassador intramural kickball team!
I am taking two classes this summer semester: “Marketing Research,” which meets in person during the week, and “The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication,” which runs online asynchronously. The generous number of summer course offerings has made it possible for me to fulfill major and minor requirements while continuing to take classes I am passionate about. In many ways, taking these classes over the summer has enhanced them. Collecting survey responses for my Marketing Research class without braving the cold made it easier to wander Boston to hang up flyers and scout potential participants. I have also enjoyed the flexibility of completing my online class on my own time and have spent much of this semester discovering new study spots around Boston to finish my coursework.
Sunsets at Revere Beach are the very best!
Summers at Northeastern have been formative to my educational experience and student involvement, helping me balance my academics with exciting opportunities outside the classroom and providing backdrops to bond with my peers. For me, the moments I spent exploring the neighborhoods surrounding our Boston campus have made them even more special. I know when I reflect on my college experience after I graduate, I’ll think fondly of the times I spent walking along the Charles Esplanade on a sunny day, taking spontaneous trips to Revere Beach with my friends after class, or catching a Red Sox game with $9 student tickets. It can be hard being away from home for the summer, but making memories like these is what makes it worthwhile.
