Students like MyKala Hilgart who plan ahead for summer and winterim courses can easily finish their degrees in three or four years, UW-Stevens Point Director of Admissions Bill Jordan said.
 
 

UW-Stevens Point summer courses
help student graduate in 3 years

Senior MyKayla Hilgart is on a fast track to graduate this month from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, in part because she took summer courses.
 
Hilgart will complete her degree in communications and media studies in three years.
 
"I'm really graduating as a junior," she said. "I realized I could feasibly fit everything into three years if I took two summer courses, so I went for it."
 
Taking summer classes can make a difference in how students complete their degrees, said Bill Jordan, director of Admissions at UW-Stevens Point.
 
"Summer courses offer a great benefit for students," Jordan said. "They are more compact and take a shorter time to complete, allowing students to focus on that subject. You can work at your own pace while still having time for summer activities and a summer job."
 
Hilgart completed two elective courses online last summer while working and living at home in Fifield, Wisconsin. She was able to work on the courses in the evenings and weekends. She also took winterim classes this past January to complete her degree.
 
"I would definitely recommend taking summer classes," said Hilgart. "My advice would be to keep up with a schedule, set your own deadlines before the actual deadlines and get all your readings done. If you are taking online classes, take the quizzes right away so you don't forget. Make your time count, especially if you are working too."
 
Students who plan ahead for summer and winterim courses can easily finish their degrees in three or four years, said Jordan. This includes students who call Portage County home and are enrolled elsewhere. They can attend UW-Stevens Point courses during the summer or winterim sessions, and transfer the credits to their campus.
 
Hilgart packed many experiences into her three years. She was involved as the news and environment editor at The Pointer student newspaper, SPTV and served an internship at the Portage County Gazette this semester.
 
Another advantage to taking summer courses and completing a degree faster is getting into the workforce sooner, said Jordan.
 
"The sooner you graduate, the greater your earning potential," he said. "You will be making money faster and paying down your debt sooner."
 
Hilgart will be starting her career shortly after graduation, as she has accepted a job as a reporter at the Gillette News Record in Gillette, Wyo.
 
"I'm very excited to start a new chapter of my life," she said.
 
Summer session classes begin Tuesday, May 26. For information on courses and options, go to www.uwsp.edu/summer.