Summer Success

TOPICS

THE SUMMER LEARNING GUIDE

REMEMBER YOUR RATIOS

In a traditional semester, the ratio is 2 to 3 hours of studying to every 1 credit hour of class. In summer, however, you're packing the same content into less time. Adjust your study hours accordingly!  Ask your instructor how much review time is recommended for summer success. Clock yourself for a few days and make sure you're really logging in enough to meet your goals! The course syllabus is also a great tool for setting up a game plan. View this video on Mastering the Syllabus for extra help.

LEARN TO SAY NO

Working a lot of hours this summer? Be honest with yourself. Afraid of missing out on that fun vacation? Consider your goals and priorities. And if you do go, be sure to run details by your instructor to see if any absences will be excused. Again, remember the fast pace of summer! Be realistic with your expectations and connect with your success coach if you need support. 

BUILD A CALENDAR SYSTEM

Review the summer syllabus and jot down in a 1-page calendar all the homework, quizzes, exams, etc. Add in your personal commitments and work too. Notice the busy weeks and start blocking out enough study time in advance so you aren't slammed during "crunch time". See your success coach for sample calendars and strategies. Also, check out the time management playlist on the Center for Success Coaching YouTube channel for additional tips.

CREATE A COMFORTABLE SUMMER WORKSTATION

Keep snacks and a water bottle handy. Classes are long, whether you’re logging in or sitting down in a face-to-face section. Stay energized and hydrated as you work! (Students on campus: think ahead! There can be limited dining hours, so pack extra food and plan accordingly.)

Be sure you’ve got a fan nearby or pick a location where you’ll be in a comfortable climate as you crank out the work. Research your library options and Wi-Fi access as well. And finally, dress in layers. It’s common to be hot walking across campus, only to be shivering in a cool library or classroom.

USE YOUR RESOURCES

Many offices are still operational during the summer and are happy to help:

In-person tutoring is available on a drop-in basis this summer through the Learning Enhancement Center. They also offer online, drop-in tutoring through their eTutoring platform.
Utilize the free expertise of the Writing Center. They offer in-person, online, and drop-off appointments this summer.
Explore accommodations and support with Accessibility & Disability Resources.
Stress doesn’t take a vacation! The University Counseling Center currently provides appointments and services.
Connect with TRiO Student Support Services.
The Center for Success Coaching is available to help with goal setting, time management, study strategies, financial wellness, career/major fit and exploration, and more!

WATCH THE MINDSET

A summer session is rigorous. Attitude is everything, so keep a positive outlook. Remember how this will help your GPA and get you ahead in credits! Your success coach can always help you cultivate a growth mindset.

FIND FRIENDS

The unique thing about a summer session is that a variety of people take classes. Be open to interacting with students who are here as guests for the term, and others you don’t normally take classes with! Take advantage of discussion boards and forums to create a sense of community in this unusual semester. Create a circle of support and motivation.

LET'S TALK FINANCES

Learn more about summer aid at the Summer Aid Checklist. Summer has unique financial rules:

Most scholarships require full-time enrollment.
Financial aid programs require at least half-time enrollment (6 credit hours).

Double-check that your credit hours work for your financial plans. If adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a class, verify with Rocket Solution Central any financial implications first!

Don’t forget traditional semester tasks that might be applicable to address in summer as well! Review your bill for charges you might elect to waive or adjust as appropriate:

The Student Green Fund supports campus environmental initiatives as a $5 fee. You can opt-out if desired. If you were registered for spring semester, the charge covers summer as well. For summer semesters, the deadline to opt-out is 45 days after the first day of the term. Adjust if needed in MyUT > Student Tab > My Reg Steps > Student Green Fund.

The Student Legal Services Fee provides access to licensed attorneys to assist with specific legal matters. If you decide to opt out, you must do so by the add/drop period for the summer term via the MyUT portal. Adjust if needed in MyUT > Student Tab > My Reg Steps > Waive Legal Service Fee.

- If at the time of spring registration you opted out of Student Legal Services for summer, you can purchase the services for $10 during summer registration. If you do not want legal services, you should check the appropriate box to opt out.
- If you already paid $20 in the spring to cover both spring and summer, then you will not be billed again. You are already covered for summer.
- If you’re registered for summer and did not attend in spring, the Student Legal Service fee should apply to your bill. You can keep the fee or opt out.

All domestic undergraduate students registered for 6 or more credit hours will automatically be enrolled inStudent Health Insurance. All international students registered for 1 or more credit hours will also be automatically enrolled. If you already have coverage under another plan, you can waive the health insurance charge. Once the waiver is accepted, the premium will be removed from your account.Waiver deadlines are as follows:

- Spring/Summer 2022: Feb. 1, 2022
- Summer 2022(for newly enrolled UToledo students only): July 1, 2022

Be sure to purchase a summer parking permit if needed. Remember parking is a separate charge and does not appear on the student bill.

If you’re in multiple summer sessions and expect a financial aid refund, discuss the details with Rocket Solution Central. For example, it would be important to know if you do not qualify for all of your aid until Summer Session 2. Talk to RSC to know what to anticipate and how to navigate, especially if the timeline impacts textbook rental or purchase plans. Contact RSC at 419.530.8700 or at rsc@utoledo.edu. Students can also visit their offices in Rocket Hall 1200.

SEE WHAT SUMMER CAN DO TO YOUR GPA

Summer session impacts your cumulative GPA. Check out this Cumulative GPA Calculator to play out scenarios and see what could occur. View UToledo's GPA Toolkit for additional resources.