Architecture/model related question

I've currently got 3 models: User, Lesson and Course

The associations are: * Lesson belongs_to Course * Course has_many Lessons

* Course belongs_to User * User has_many Courses

Now I'm adding a new model for LessonCompletion, which will be used to track which lessons the user has completed and when.

LessonCompletion belongs_to Lesson LessonCompletion belongs_to User

User has_many LessonCompletions Lesson has_many LessonCompletions

Now the way that this model (LessonCompletion) will be used is primarily on the Course show page in displaying which lessons are done.

My question is, should I add another association of LessonCompletion belongs_to Course, Course has_many LessonCompletions or should I just go with Course has_many LessonCompletions, :through => :lessons ?

The reason I ask is because I'm wondering if the :through will be very taxing on the system as it will get used a lot.