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Have questions about workload, deadlines, or how these classes work? Read our 8-Week Course FAQ.
What
An 8-week course fits a full semester’s worth of content into just half the time: eight weeks instead of 16. They are intense and require serious planning, dedication, and effort! They fit the same information and learning goals of a semester-long course into just eight weeks, so the content comes at you twice as fast—and you’ll need to work twice as hard. However, you’re done in just half the time!
For Student
For Faculty
Who
You don’t need to be a super-student to succeed in an 8-week course, but you do need to be ready to work, and to put in the time required! In a semester-long 3-credit course, you should plan on 3 hours a week of classroom time (in-person or online), and at least 3-6 hours of time for studying/reading/homework. For an 8-week course, that’s 6 hours of in-class time and 6-12 hours of homework/study time each—12-18 hours each week! You should only pursue 8-week courses if you can set aside the required time.
Why
Even though 8-week courses are extra fast-paced and intense, students are often more successful in them. It can be easier to push yourself and stay engaged for eight weeks than for 16. If you know the struggle is for a short, limited time, you can focus and really lock in. The finish line is in sight from the very beginning of the session!
8-week courses can also let you focus more closely on the material you’re learning. Instead of dividing your attention between four classes at the same time over 16 weeks, taking two eight-week courses in the first half of the semester and two in the second half can help you concentrate better. And because you’re studying the final material in the course just a few weeks after the earliest material, it can be easier to remember and understand everything.
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succeed.
How
Succeeding in 8-week courses means intentionally planning for success. In general, you shouldn’t take more than three 8-week courses at once, and should be very careful combining 8-week courses with 16-week ones. As you set up your schedule for the semester, pay attention to class start and end dates and make sure that what you’ve selected is doable for you. Think about your own time, skills, learning style, and work or family obligations.
Once you have your classes, make yourself a schedule with blocks of time to focus on each, especially the 8-week ones. Put due dates from the syllabus into your calendar, as well as earlier reminders or notes for yourself.
8-week classes are fast, but you can learn a lot! Taking notes, reviewing flashcards, quizzing yourself on your knowledge, explaining concepts in your own words, and applying the content to new situations are all solid learning strategies. They’re also way more effective than just reading/re-reading the textbook or notes! Both in class and during your study time, eliminate distractions so that you can focus. Turn your phone entirely off or leave it in another room. If you’re on a computer, pause notifications and limit your Internet access.
Finally, it’s extra important in 8-week classes to stay connected. Make sure you receive (and read!) notifications from your instructor—especially emails and Inbox messages and Announcements in Canvas. Read comments you receive on graded work and apply that feedback. Reach out to your instructor if you’re confused, have questions, or need additional support. Take advantage of available IVC student resources, including tutoring, the library, and mental health counseling, online or in-person. You’ve got this!
Related Links
Where
8-week courses are marked in the online schedule with an orange graphic. 
You can use the filters there to show all eight-week courses or only those that begin
in the first or second half of the semester. In Webstar, to see section start and
end dates, you can either hover over an individual class or widen the “Meeting Times”
column to show information for all sections.
8-week courses are offered both face-to-face and online. If you’re taking an online course, it’s crucial to have fast, reliable, internet service and devices, with a laptop or desktop computer strongly recommended. You may not be able to complete all the required work using only a phone.
An 8-week course fits a full semester’s worth of content into eight weeks instead of 16 weeks. It covers the same information and learning goals as a semester-long course, so the content moves twice as fast and requires serious planning, dedication and effort.
The benefit? You’re done in half the time.
Even though 8-week courses are fast-paced and intense, students are often more successful in them. It can be easier to push yourself and stay engaged for eight weeks than for 16. Because the session is shorter, the finish line is in sight from the beginning.
Eight-week courses can also help you focus more closely on what you’re learning. Instead of dividing your attention among four classes at the same time for 16 weeks, you could take two 8-week courses during the first half of the semester and two during the second half.
Because you’re studying the final course material just a few weeks after the earliest material, it can also be easier to remember and understand what you’ve learned.
You don’t need to be a “super-student” to succeed in an 8-week course, but you do need to be ready to work and put in the required time.
Before choosing 8-week courses, think about your own time, skills, learning style, and work or family obligations. You should only pursue 8-week courses if you can set aside the time they require.
For a 3-credit 8-week course, you should plan for approximately:
By comparison, a semester-long 3-credit course generally requires 3 hours per week of classroom time and at least 3–6 hours for studying, reading and homework.
In general, you shouldn’t take more than three 8-week courses at once.
You should also be very careful when combining 8-week courses with 16-week courses. As you build your semester schedule, pay attention to class start and end dates and make sure the schedule you select is doable for you.
Eight-week courses may begin during the first or second half of the semester.
Pay close attention to the start and end dates for each course when creating your schedule.
Eight-week courses are marked in the online schedule with an orange graphic.
You can use the schedule filters to view all 8-week courses or only those beginning in the first or second half of the semester.
In WebSTAR, you can see section start and end dates by hovering over an individual class or widening the “Meeting Times” column to display information for all sections.
Yes. Eight-week courses are offered face-to-face and online.
If you take an online course, it is crucial to have fast, reliable internet service and access to the necessary devices. A laptop or desktop computer is strongly recommended. You may not be able to complete all required work using only a phone.
Once you have your classes, create a schedule with blocks of time dedicated to each course, especially your 8-week courses.
Add due dates from your syllabus to your calendar and set earlier reminders or notes for yourself so you can stay organized.
These strategies are more effective than simply reading or rereading your textbook or notes.
During class and study time, eliminate distractions so you can focus. Turn your phone off or leave it in another room. If you’re working on a computer, pause notifications and limit your internet access.
Staying connected is especially important in an 8-week course.
Make sure you receive and read notifications from your instructor, including:
Apply the feedback you receive and reach out to your instructor if you’re confused, have questions or need additional support.
You can also take advantage of available IVC student resources, including tutoring, the library and mental health counseling, online or in person.
Yes. Drop and withdrawal (“W”) dates are different for 8-week classes.
Be sure to review the dates that apply to your course.