(BPT) - It's almost summertime! You are probably looking forward to some time off and quieter days, but what if you could take advantage of your free time these next few months to help advance your studies? The good news is that you don't have to sacrifice well-earned leisure time to take a few online courses this summer. Setting aside even a few hours a week can help accelerate your general education courses.

If you are thinking about taking advantage of the summer to get ahead in your education, there are some things to consider:

Take advantage of your flexible summer schedule.

You may not have to miss out on your vacations or pool days by adding a few classes to your summer schedule. Online courses give students more flexibility and independence with their studies, which may align well with a summer schedule. There are more options than ever for online or remote courses that are easy to fit into a busy schedule since they may not have the scheduling restrictions of set on-campus times and locations.

Focus on a challenging subject without a packed academic course load.

When you have a packed academic calendar and personal responsibilities, it can be hard to find extra time to dedicate to studying and understanding course material. By taking just one or even two courses, you can take the time to focus on a specific subject and give it your full attention.

Get ahead in your studies.

Summer is the perfect time to knock out general education or prerequisite courses. Earning these credits in the 'off-season' may free up your time and ensure you have the necessary qualifications to register for key courses during the fall and spring semesters.

Bolster your resume with a second major or a minor.

In addition to staying ahead of your studies, you can use summer courses to make room for a second major or minor while staying on track with your anticipated graduation date. You can either use this time to knock out a few prerequisites for your second major or as an opportunity to explore your new course of study to ensure that it's the right choice before fully committing. Online education providers like Sophia can help you complete those prerequisites. They offer more than 60 high-quality college-level courses through an affordable monthly subscription that includes learning coaches and integrated course materials. Sophia courses are American Council on Education-recommended for college credit and are designed to be transferred to many colleges and universities.

If you're interested in online summer courses, take a look at the partner schools at Sophia or start a free trial to give it a try.