Jan Herman, AuSM president

"Summer school is a great opportunity for students. It means students can advance their studies and it give them a chance of hitting the employment market six months earlier than their classmates.

“It also gives students the ability to catch up with their classmates if they have failed a paper during semester, or is a great introduction to university for those wanting to do the pre-university sessions.

“AuSM, AUT's student association, welcomes students on to campus during the summer. Enjoy it."

David Williamson, Master of Business, Lecturer Hospitality Employment Relations, AUT.
“I would recommend summer school to anyone who is committed to learning and enjoys pushing themselves beyond the usual boundaries of tertiary study. The concentrated nature of the papers allows you to immerse yourself in a topic without the distractions that come from semester long study. There tends to be an atmosphere of commitment above the ordinary which creates a buzz in the classroom. 

“I gained a great deal from the last summer school course I did in 2004/2005 – Financial Decision Making. The lecturer, Professor Morey was of international standing and the material was challenging and useful, both in an academic setting and for the real-world of business. The paper was incredibly challenging and gave me one of the greatest feelings of achievement I have ever gained from study.

“In the first two years of my masters I completed summer school papers each year, and I will jump at the chance to do more in the future.”

Olivia Vavrin, Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Researcher, AC Neilsen.
“I came to New Zealand to study as a 23-year-old. I wanted to shorten my studies because I was a mature student so took summer school papers in 2002/2003 and 2003/2004. Both times I took two papers, which was intense, but I loved it and received my best grades for those papers. 

“Summer school is a pleasant and productive study environment and we were expected to do a lot of independent study, along with lectures. At my current job as a researcher I often have to work independently and under time pressure, which very much reflects a summer school course.

“I would recommend summer school. It is intense but from a learning perspective I found the information stays in your mind and the in-class tasks were productive. From my experience summer school students are incredibly motivated, and I found that rubbed off on me.”

Heather Creasey, Graduate Diploma in Business, Copy Centre and Merchandising Administration Manager, Warehouse Stationery Ltd.

“I am working full-time throughout my studies, so taking summer school papers means I will complete my graduate diploma quicker. I would recommend summer school to anyone who is serious about learning. Students at summer school are committed – they turn up for every class and contribute more to group assignments.

“Initially I thought study days would be long and it would be hard to be motivated just before and after Christmas. But it was great, there is concentrated time and continuity of lectures that are not limited by the clock. I also found you get to know people in your class much better – and I’m still in touch with some of them today.”