Without a doubt, it can be difficult, at times, to listen to someone telling you to do something. In this case, it is important to know and understand that anything and everything that your advisor tells you is really for your best interest. Professors here want all of their students and advisees to succeed.
When mapping out your schedule for the duration of your time here at Brandeis, it is imperative that you keep in mind the vast availability of summer courses. This can help you reach your goals faster and in a more efficient manner. Each semester should be used to its fullest potential. And why not maximize the degree of education that you can receive? The work that you put in will be beneficial in years to come.
To get the most out of summer, meet with your academic advisor to discuss your options and your hypothetical paths that will ultimately lead to your graduation. Summer is really the perfect opportunity to catch up, get ahead, or to experience new and unique courses.
However, it is important to keep in mind that since the summer modules are much shorter, there needs to be a high level of dedication from you, the student. The professors will be teaching at a relatively faster speed, but it will definitely be manageable if your priorities are set in the right place.
Overall, pick subjects that you are interested in because there will be a lot of time devoted to learning the material and acing papers, exams, and assignments.