Reflecting on Summer Courses: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Navigating academic commitments can be challenging, and sometimes our decisions during breaks can lead to unforeseen stress. Recently, I chose to enroll in two accelerated courses over the summer, aiming to stay productive and avoid feelings of guilt or being perceived as unmotivated by family and peers.
Having completed my first year at university with a commendable 3.7 GPA, I thought I was making a strategic choice. However, I soon realized that the compressed schedule—covering the material in half the usual time—posed unexpected difficulties. The workload intensified rapidly, and I found myself overwhelmed and burnt out by the end of April. Despite this, I pushed through, motivated in part by concern about family expectations and comparisons to my sibling’s internship experience.
Throughout May, I struggled with motivation, procrastinated extensively, and ultimately didn’t engage with the coursework as fully as I should have. This has resulted in feeling significantly behind, and yesterday I experienced moments of frustration and overwhelm, understanding that the pace was more demanding than anticipated.
Looking back, I wish I had prioritized rest and avoided the shortcut of accelerated courses, as I fear this may negatively impact my GPA and academic confidence. The thought of withdrawing crosses my mind, but I worry about how my family might react, and I feel unsure if I can recover from this situation.
This experience has taught me the importance of listening to my limits and carefully weighing the pros and cons of such intensive courses. Moving forward, I plan to seek a better balance, prioritize mental health, and approach future academic decisions with greater caution. Remember, sometimes taking a step back is the best way to ensure long-term success and well-being.