Who wants to be cooped up at home all summer, hunched over the computer when you could be at the beach with your friends? Not me.

But under Florida’s 6.016 Summer Session Enrollment policy, this is how you may find yourself spending the summer. 

Florida currently requires all students entering the State University System with fewer than 60 credits to complete at least 9 credits during one or more summer sessions.

This policy should not be in place because it limits students’ opportunity for academic rest and could impose unnecessary financial strain on those already facing economic hardship. 

Still, USF offers ways for certain students to opt out of summer classes.

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Since the regulation’s creation in 1975, it has been amended multiple times, with the last time being in 1995. 

This outdated policy could cause mental strain and burnout on college students who need the summer semester to relax and recharge, in order to perform to the best of their abilities in the fall and spring semesters.

Many college students already face burnout, and this policy does not help alleviate that. It is common for students and individuals to become overworked and exhausted when we’re not given a proper break away from work. 

The summer enrollment requirement also places a huge financial burden on students who are already struggling to afford fall and spring classes.

The nine summer credits this policy requires could add from $1,304 to $3,487 to your USF bill. That’s on top of the $6,410 to $17,324 range students paid for the 2024-25 fall and spring semesters.

Not every student has financial assistance from their family or the government. Some students may work full-time jobs on top of going to college to pay their tuition on time. Having to enroll in summer classes could cause unnecessary stress and hardship on them.  

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But don’t feel discouraged just yet. USF offers a summer waiver for students to fill out, which may excuse them from taking summer courses. 

USF spokesperson Ryan Hughes said students must meet one or more of the qualifications below to be waived from the requirement:

• Students who have a summer internship or employment
• Students whose programs do not offer courses during the summer
• Students with personal or financial hardships that would make it impossible to attend class

Hughes said this waiver is requested at the time of graduation.

So, despite the pesky summer enrollment requirement, USF does a wonderful job of assisting and supporting students who are not able to fulfill this requirement. 

In an ideal world, we would get rid of this state regulation altogether. With that, students would be able to fully recharge physically, socially, mentally and academically. 

If Florida universities want their students to perform better academically, they must allow students a couple of months off, because otherwise, this policy is a recipe for burnout, fatigue and financial failure.