Student Stories

Summer Offers Challenging, but Rewarding Opportunities

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:36:19 +0000

Summer Offers Challenging, but Rewarding Opportunities Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/21/2016 - 11:36

The complexities of electronic and telecommunications networks have long fascinated Snehpal Singh Saini, a telecommunications engineering graduate student from Jalandhar, India.

“When I was an undergrad studying in India, I wondered about how the Internet works,” Snehpal said. “So, I took telecommunication classes and learned about encoding, decoding, and how networks work. From that experience, I decided to go directly to graduate school. CU �鶹ӰԺ has one of the best telecommunications programs in the United States. It’s the only one that offers telecommunications as a specific area of study, separate from electrical engineering. That caught my eye.”

The program includes rigorous coursework that integrates technology, business, economics, and public policy curriculum, but one course in particular bedevils many students: Telecommunications Systems Lab.

“You have to spend at least 20 hours per week in the lab,” Snehpal explained. “You are given certain objectives you have to fulfill in set periods of time, so it gets very hectic.”

Snehpal decided to enroll in the Telecommunications Systems Lab during Summer Session because he could focus exclusively on the challenging course instead of balancing it with other coursework as in the fall or spring. “The workload was easier because I had nothing else to do. This course is normally done in twelve weeks, but in summer it is ten weeks, so the workload is compressed. However, the advantage to taking this course in summer is you get more time in the lab, so you can learn a lot more than you might during other times of year.”

In spite of long hours running experiments to master the techniques of voice and data switching and the functions of data networking and services, Snehpal believes it was all worth it. The knowledge and skills he gained in the course successfully prepared him for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) test, a valuable professional certification. Snehpal has received several job offers as a Network Engineer, including at Amazon.

“If I could give advice to other students, I’d say take the toughest course you’ve got to do in your degree—the one you’re avoiding—in summer, because you have a lot of time to focus on it,” Snehpal said. “Fill your summer, especially if you don’t have other plans. It reduces your workload for other semesters and it’ll look good on your resume.”

Telecommunications Engineering graduate student, Snehpal Singh Saini, used Summer Session to focus on the most difficult course in his program.

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Push To Reach Your Goals In Summer

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:26:55 +0000

Push To Reach Your Goals In Summer Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/21/2016 - 11:26

Mackenzie Colwell’s journey to CU �鶹ӰԺ was circuitous. The senior Computer Science major started her undergraduate career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York. She tested several majors, including Materials Engineering, Electronic Media, and Arts and Communication with focus in Graphic Design, but nothing stuck. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but my sister went to RPI, so I went there. It was the wrong choice.”

Mackenzie’s grades steadily worsened until she decided to leave school and get a job. She didn’t think she wanted to go back to college, but three years after leaving RPI, Mackenzie had the opportunity to move to Colorado. Worried she didn’t have competitive qualifications for the local job market, Mackenzie researched potential careers in computer programming. The prospects looked good, so she decided to apply to CU �鶹ӰԺ to pursue a degree in Computer Science.

Mackenzie was conditionally admitted to the university pending good performance in two summer 2015 classes. She took First Year Writing and Rhetoric in Session A and Philosophy and Society in Session B, and finished the summer meeting her goal: she was admitted to CU �鶹ӰԺ as a transfer undergraduate.

Her first goal attained, Mackenzie started working toward her second goal: to complete her degree in two years. This objective meant she had to take more summer classes in 2016, all of which were scheduled in Session B. She took Shakespeare for Non-majors, Principles of Genetics, and Human-Centered Computing/User-Centered Design.

“Even though summer sessions are shorter, they feel like normal classes—you just meet every day. There is less time to do the assignments, but often you’re only taking one class per term so you can stay on top of the work and keep track of your assignments.”

Mackenzie excelled in her 2016 summer courses and is now working hard during her last year on campus. She’s taking 20 credit hours per semester for the fall and spring, but she’s on track to graduate in May 2017, just as planned.

“Your professor determines how good the class is going to be, so look for courses with professors you’ve enjoyed in the past. If you’re worried about a class, try to talk to the professor before you register and ask him or her if you can handle the class with your current level of preparation. Sometimes with regular fall and spring semester classes, you can be unprepared but catch up. In summer, there’s not enough time. Do what you can to prepare yourself for the best result.”

Mackenzie Colwell, a transfer student, used summer classes to join CU �鶹ӰԺ and to complete her degree in two years.

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Lighten Your Course Load and Immerse Yourself in a Topic

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 07:00:00 +0000

Lighten Your Course Load and Immerse Yourself in a Topic Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 12/07/2015 - 00:00

As a child growing up in Buena Park, California, Cassandra Noice had a passion for discovery. She loved to tinker with electronics. She thrived in her math and physics classes, which helped her understand logic and the interactions between matter and energy.

Her fascination with science and technology led Cassandra to enlist in the US Army. After five years of active service, she decided to use her G.I. Bill benefits to pursue a bachelor’s degree at CU �鶹ӰԺ in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

As a nontraditional undergraduate, Cassandra, 31, is balancing her education with the demands of a family. The Electrical and Computer Engineering major is required to take 15-18 credits each fall and spring semester for the duration of her four-year degree program, which doesn’t leave much time for anything but studying. So, Cassandra decided to use Summer Session to lighten her year-round course load.

She reduced her course load for the remaining two years of her program from 18 credits to 12 credits per semester by taking five courses over two summers (2014 and 2015). The reduced work load gives Cassandra more time each week to be with her wife and two-year old son, and to gain practical professional experience. This year she is working as a research assistant in the CU �鶹ӰԺ Control Systems, Sensor Fusion, and Robotics Lab run by Dr. Lucy Pao. Cassandra is responsible for real time control of an atomic force microscope, which involves writing and testing code. Next year she may decide to pursue an internship with a technology or aerospace firm in the greater Denver metro area.

Reflecting on her summer experiences, one course stands out in Cassandra’s memory. It was a Maymester special topics course taught by Scot Douglass called The Chronicles of Narnia and Plato. The course, offered by the Engineering Honors Program, explored the intersection of philosophy and literature. Students read all six volumes of the Narnia series and compared them with the philosophy of Plato.

“The instructor was fantastic and the course was very enlightening. I really enjoyed taking it and regret it only lasted three weeks,” said Cassandra. “I would tell any students considering Summer Session that it is a great time to explore the Humanities. You can dive into a topic and explore it without other academic responsibilities or distractions. It’s really great.”

Cassandra Noice used Summer Session to lighten her year-round course load and explore specific subjects in more depth.

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Complete Course Requirements Anywhere

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 07:00:00 +0000

Complete Course Requirements Anywhere Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/04/2015 - 00:00

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. Chase Pennoyer, a senior Environmental Studies major, intended to graduate in spring 2016, but was behind in his coursework by 9 credits. To get back on track, he planned to stay in �鶹ӰԺ over the summer to take a Maymester course and work at the Valmont Bike Park. But as spring classes wrapped up, Chase got a call from his grandparents who urged him—as only loving, persuasive grandparents can do—to return home to Greenfield, New Hampshire to spend the summer with them. How could anyone resist such a request?

Chase changed his summer plans at the last minute and returned home, but he still needed to earn credit towards his degree during Summer Session. An online course search revealed a crowd-source mapping class that appealed to him and satisfied credits towards the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) certificate that Chase is pursuing in lieu of a minor. He decided to enroll.

The course, taught by Associate Professor Joel Hartter, was the first online course Chase took at CU �鶹ӰԺ. He didn’t know what to expect before classes started in June.

“The class was more rigorous than I thought, but I liked the work,” Chase said. “I think the class really helped my time management skills. I spent a huge chunk of time at the beginning of the class working ahead on assignments and then relaxed a bit and did little amounts every day. It was so nice. I felt like I was able to earn 3 credits and still have my own time.”

Summer Session’s flexible course options gave Chase the opportunity to accomplish several goals. He could spend the summer with his family in New England, complete necessary course work on his own schedule—which gave him time to volunteer full-time at an organic dairy farm—and continue advancing his degree.

“It was a lot more than just an online experience,” Chase said. “It’s funny…I used a computer the whole time, but I don’t remember that. I see the interactions with the teacher and the projects themselves, making maps. The class gave me an interest that will last longer than the college experience. I learned to use different mapping applications that have a ton of real-world significance.”

Chase will use Summer Session 2016 to earn the remaining 6 credits he needs to complete his bachelor’s degree by the end of the summer.

Chase Pennoyer used online courses to complete a course requirement while spending the summer with his family in New England.

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Advance Your Degree Over The Summer

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:00:00 +0000

Advance Your Degree Over The Summer Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/02/2015 - 00:00

Heidi Wicklund isn’t someone who shies away from a challenge. The economics major from Stillwater, Minnesota is used to balancing schoolwork, a job, volunteer duties as a hockey skating coach, and free time in the mountains with seeming grace and ease.

But she also understands the opportunity cost of having several competing commitments. Last year—with two years of CU �鶹ӰԺ coursework already under her belt—Wicklund decided to reduce her course load to save money and finalize her state residency. She split her days between school and full-time work, managing a candy store on Pearl Street by day and taking classes through CU �鶹ӰԺ Continuing Education in the evenings.

Wicklund’s diligence paid off. She achieved her financial goals by spring 2015, but found herself behind in her coursework for a 2016 graduation. So, she decided to take advantage of Summer Session. Heidi took five courses between May and August 2015: one in Maymester, two in Session A, and two in Session B.

“It was not my plan to take five courses,” Wicklund said. “I was only going to take one class in B term, either Intro to Econometrics or Native American studies. I was nervous Econometrics was going to be too hard because summer classes are rigorous. But after the first few days in Econometrics, I thought, ‘Ok, I really like this class.’ I had also registered for Native American studies just in case I had to drop Econometrics and then really loved it too, so I took both instead of dropping one.”

Most of the summer courses Wicklund took were upper division requirements for her major, which allowed her to advance her degree at a rapid pace. But she saw many other benefits in taking summer courses including access to new and different professors, smaller class sizes, and the ability to focus on fewer courses.

“I liked taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from Nicholas Flores, who is head of the Economics Department,” she commented. “He doesn’t teach many classes, so that was awesome. I also liked being able to work on one or two classes at a time without worrying about taking five midterms and five finals like I do during the fall and spring semesters. My classes were still hard, but Summer Session let me put all my energy into just a few classes at a time.”

In addition to her unique learning experiences, Wicklund also raised her GPA by 0.3 points in just 13 weeks. “I would absolutely recommend Summer Session to other students,” Wicklund said with a smile. “And it’s not like I didn’t enjoy summer; I did a lot of fun things outside of class.”

Wicklund is once again enrolled as a full time student at CU �鶹ӰԺ. And thanks to her efforts last summer, she is on track to graduate in May 2016.

Heidi Wicklund advanced her degree by 15 credits in 13 weeks.

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