Summer Labs or Regular Classes?

[Algophiliac]

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There are already many threads out about this, but I am wondering more specifically about my scheduling problems. Would it be better to take a lab class or a lecture course?

Keep in mind, specifically, that I would be taking the other option during the following fall semester, in which I have 0 labs currently scheduled. Would it be better to break up my fall schedule with a lab class, or just take it in the summer, and keep the fall schedule all lectures?

Here are *my* thoughts, but I'd like everyone else's opinions, as well.

-If I take the lecture course in the summer, it may go quickly, a lot of reading, etc., BUT I'd have a studying/test/final break during the fall semester, since the lab has none of these factors. I would have to do lab write-ups in the fall semester and balance that with other courses and studying, however.

-If I take the lab class in the summer, it will be way more intense than it might be during the year, and finishing lab reports may be hard. However, I will have no other major distractions and can get done very easily. But in the fall, I will have all lecture courses, which means more studying, more exams, and an additional final to be concerned over.

Thoughts?

 

[MSU2009]

Lab in summer.

 

[Algophiliac]

Lab in summer.

Thanks, I've been getting that advice from most people, I guess. Would anyone mind sharing their reasoning or experience?

 

[ItzYaYa]

I've heard that it was better to take lecture before lab, given the fact that most of the learning material is presented in the lecture itself. I say lecture before lab. It'll be easier for you. Then again, it all depends on the class.

 

[NewYorker9]

Do it in the summer, get it all done and out of the way so you can move on

 

[Algophiliac]

Do it in the summer, get it all done and out of the way so you can move on

Do you mean both the lecture that is not related to the lab and the lab?

Just to be clear, the lecture and the lab are NOT related, so doing the lab would not be more difficult because I lack the lecture based information.

 

[Barcu]

I would do the lab over the summer. Lab classes are always inconveniently scheduled and just getting it done and out of the way quickly will be much nicer.

 

[Algophiliac]

I would do the lab over the summer. Lab classes are always inconveniently scheduled and just getting it done and out of the way quickly will be much nicer.

Hmmm, so you don't recommend taking both? I think both would be overload in the summer, considering how I need the 4.0s. Lab sounds difficult, time-consuming, but great, thanks...I'll go ahead and schedule it before the schedule times close, then. If no one else has any inputs.

 

[kpcrew]

I would also do lab because I know a few people who tried taking lecture courses during the summer and found that it was a bit overwhelming. All the information that is taught within four months is condensed into a few weeks worth of classes. If you don't keep up, you could get lost very quickly.