Traditionally, summer school is not popular with large swaths of a student population. Wofford is different. Summer school at Wofford is a popular way on campus to either get ahead in courses or catch up on classes that may require additional attention. Various departments offer a variety of courses, but primarily general education courses at the 100 and 200 levels.
“Chemistry offers some gen-ed courses, physics, philosophy, English, religion, history… sometimes they do a couple of upper-level courses because there are so many majors, especially in the accounting and finance area,” Dr. Jameica Byers Hill, associate provost for administration and professor of chemistry said.
“Most of our students are trying to stay ahead and lighten the load during the semester… For example, taking organic chemistry over the summer. [Say] you are a person where eating, sleeping, and drinking organic for ten weeks of the semester would benefit you better when you don’t have to worry about writing an English paper or reading a book for history, these other things that are great things to do, but do they distract your mind from organic chemistry?” Hill said.
Also serving as the faculty athletic representative, she pointed out that summer school is a unique opportunity for student athletes to get ahead. Athletes who are already living on campus during the summer months may not want to miss out on this advancement towards earning their degree.
Summer school is also open to incoming freshmen who would like to get accustomed to the collegiate atmosphere before the busyness of the fall semester. This may appeal to those who come in with most of their gen-ed courses not yet marked off.
Time on campus over the summers could also give students the opportunities to participate in research. Riley Stastny ‘26 spent last summer on campus doing a research-based internship with Dr. Youmi Efurd.
“I would do another summer here. You already know the professors here and already have a relationship with some of them, and even if you don’t have a relationship with them, that is a great way to start one that you can continue by taking classes with them or meeting up with them. Those are connections that you can keep for a while,” Stastny said.
Part of the uniqueness of Wofford is the tight-knit campus community. Getting to know professors is a great way to build relationships, and the summer can provide an opportunity to build those connections.
“You only get four years at Wofford so it’s neat to make the most of it. There are many opportunities that a lot of students don’t know about, but asking your favorite professor about them can introduce you to those opportunities, because they want to work with you,” Stastny said.
Taking a summer course is a way to see Wofford’s campus during the summer months and specialize in a particular academic area of focus. Many of the college’s students take part in internships, research, and on-campus jobs in the summer.
Not only do these opportunities expand the academic approach beyond the traditional fall and spring semester routines, but they can also add to a student’s academic resume or CV.
Registration for summer school is open until Friday, March 14 at 11:59pm. Add/drop for the first session will be open from April 22 until June 3 at 5pm. Check out wofford.edu for more information on the summer 2025 course schedule.
