You’re packing your suitcase for a summer away in cottage country, a new country and wherever else you find yourself. You pack your sunscreen, a few bathing suits, portable chargers to ensure you take plenty of pictures, sunglasses, a good pair of hiking shoes – all the summer essentials to make the most of your trip. Where your summer takes you doesn’t matter, as long as you come back rested with some good memories. But what if you came back with more than just good memories? What if you added a laptop to your bag and returned with a summer credit as well?
Pack Your Credit
Summer school is no longer confined to classrooms for students who need to retake credits. As technology has transformed education, summer school enrollment has risen across multiple boards. When students hear that asynchronous e-learning allows them to continue with their summer plans while earning a credit (earning online OSSD [Ontario Secondary School Diploma] credits in your own time online), it challenges the misconception that summer school is only designed to repeat courses.
But how do students do it? For many, the answer is found in courses offered by accredited private schools in Ontario, like Ontario Virtual School. The stress of completing and rushing through an entire course in the single month of July is eliminated. Students are not required to log in at specific times each day and can complete their course in as little as 21 days or take up to 365 days if needed. With this newfound freedom, their day can remain stress-free, exploring new places and learning at their leisure.
OVS allows students to take their education virtually anywhere. In most cases, all students need to pack is a laptop and ensure that they have access to internet connection when they are ready to work. Even students worrying that they will not be able to maintain constant internet access (for those of you who love interior camping and going off the grid) can rest assured knowing that they are enrolled in a self-paced online high school. So go ahead and head into the woods, hike that mountain trail, or spend an afternoon exploring a new city. Your EWC4U course (The Writer’s Craft) will be waiting for you when you return, maybe even with more inspiration than before. After all, some of the best learning happens when experiences beyond the classroom shape your ideas.
Earn While You Explore
Balancing online learning and summer adventures is easy with the flexible programming that OVS offers. Students don’t need to set rigid schedules or rearrange family vacations to accommodate coursework. When opportunities to explore a new city arise, students can leave their laptop behind, and return to it later. On the other hand, online summer school can provide valuable structure for students who enjoy maintaining routines. Many students find that dedicating a small portion of their day to learning helps them stay productive while still recharging.
This flexibility also allows students to customize their learning around their summer goals. Whether they prefer to dedicate an hour each morning to coursework before heading out for the day or complete larger portions of the course on quieter days, students remain in control of their schedules while making progress towards their OSSD.
Below are some ways that students find inspirations in their travels to study:
- Think about the applications of your travel to course content → For example, look around the new city you are exploring and ask yourself how technological advancements have affected environmental issues in the area and apply this using terms from your World Issues course (CGW4U).
- Find a new and exciting place to study → Keep watch for local coffee shops or parks that you can work through your Canadian Politics course (CPW4U) course at. Romanticizing isn’t just a new trend online, use it to motivate yourself!
- Think about it as practice for future jobs that may require you to travel for work → That Canadian and International Law course (CLN4U) may one day gradually unfold into a job where you get to travel for work. Why not practice balancing the two now?
- When you have choice in assignment topics, have yours focus on your new location
Return Home Ahead
Travel, rest, summer breaks and relaxation are incredibly important to the mental well-being and character of students. Taking time to recharge helps students return to school feeling motivated and stepping away from familiar routines can provide a valuable reset, helping students avoid burnout and to return with a fresh perspective.
However, coming home rested doesn’t mean you can’t also come home ahead academically as well. Students who return from summer break with a credit feel less pressure later when they are completing a full course load in the regular school year. Completing a summer credit helps students come back one step closer to their post-secondary goals all while reaping the benefits from a restful summer vacation. OVS provides students with the unique opportunity to grow on their getaway (no matter where in the world that is). Reach out today to our team to learn more!
Q and As:
Q1: What is summer school like in an online, asynchronous format?
A: Summer school in an asynchronous online format allows students to complete courses on their own schedule without set class times. This flexibility means students can continue their summer plans while still working toward earning an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credit.
Q2: Who can benefit from taking a summer credit online?
A: Any student looking to earn a credit during the summer can benefit, whether they are upgrading marks, getting ahead in their studies, or wanting a more flexible way to balance learning with travel, work, or rest.
Q3: How does online summer school allow students to travel while studying?
A: Online summer school allows students to access coursework from anywhere with an internet connection. Since there are no fixed schedules, students can complete assignments before or after travelling, or even during downtime while away.
Q4: How can students stay motivated while studying during summer break?
A: Students often stay motivated by connecting their coursework to real-life experiences, studying in new environments like cafés or parks, and setting flexible personal goals that fit around their travel and summer activities.
Q5: What are the benefits of completing a credit during the summer?
A: Completing a summer credit can help reduce academic pressure during the school year, provide more flexibility in future course selections, and allow students to progress toward their post-secondary goals while still enjoying their summer break.
Written byNatalie Tayler (OVS Teacher)