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College life is full of new and exciting experiences. Students are suddenly offered far greater freedom, loads of new people to meet, and courses that offer new and challenging ideas. One primary challenge in college is time management. Since schools may divide students' time according to a quarter or semester system, this seemingly mundane aspect of college life should be carefully considered. After all, one's life activities will be determined in no small part by how their classes are structured.
A year spent on the semester system will often start earlier in the year, but then it will end earlier as well, though with a shorter winter break relative to quarter systems. This is typically better for students who wish to pursue work or other educational opportunities over the summer. The semester system also tends to align with the systems most of us experience in high school, thus providing an easier transition for first-year students.
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Semesters Vs. Quarters
A school year can come in many different forms. College students may have the option of a school year that conforms to a quarter system or a semester system. The quarter system is an academic term that divides the calendar year into four parts, with students taking courses during three quarters, and taking off the summer. Semester students have a year divided into two parts, though some schools offer courses during the summer. These are often more intense courses that manage to convey a full semester of learning in about five weeks.
Semester and quarter systems are used throughout the United States. While the semester system seems to be gaining more converts than the quarter system, each has its advantages.
Adherents to the semester system will point out that their students have more time to devote to their courses and greater flexibility in their schedules. Semesters are longer than quarters, so students have more time to get deeper into the subject matter. They may even have time for field trips which can enhance learning in a history class, for example. Courses in a semester system structure frequently are divided into Monday, Wednesday, Friday courses and Tuesday – Thursday. There are also M-W courses and courses that meet once a week for an extended session. Thus, semester students may load all or most of their class sessions into either the M-W-F or T-Th structure and then make time for a part-time job or other activity.
Meanwhile, quarter system students typically have all of their classes scheduled five days per week. This means that around three hours per day are relegated to class sessions; more if they are taking a course with a laboratory attached. This can pinch students' ability to work outside of school. It also increases the chances that they will have multiple assignments due on the same day.
As for which system is preferable from a purely academic point of view, that is an issue that scholars are still debating. Some studies have found that intense studies yield better long-term results. The best overall blends the quarter and semester approaches, the block plan. In a block plan, the year is divided into semesters, but each semester is then divided into four blocks. Thus, students spend 3.5 weeks per block in a single class. Students are immersed in a single subject or class for that entire time. Once that course is complete, these schools offer a short break, often 4.5 days, before they start back up with the next class on the agenda.
How Many Weeks in a School Year?
A school year typically consists of around 30 weeks total, with 16 weeks per semester. Generally speaking, a full load of courses in a semester system is four courses, which may meet once, twice, or three times per week, though exceptions exist, especially for laboratory science classes. This means that semester students usually spend 30-34 weeks in class. Those who attend over the summer may spend 3-12 weeks in their summer courses; though much of this depends on whether their college or university uses semesters or quarters.
Opinions vary as to which method is preferable for long-term retention and overall academic value. In fact, some studies have shown that semesters that are subdivided into four parts are more effective. These systems have students focus on one course at a time rather than having to balance work for four classes at once. You can choose a college based on which system they use or simply be ready for college to be a unique experience.
How Many Weeks Are Included?
A college semester is generally between 15 and 17 weeks long. Schools divide their year into two semesters, fall and spring, where students usually take four courses per term. During the fall term, students have several days off for Thanksgiving and some schools feature a Fall Break, which is an added week off. Schools on the semester system also offer courses during the summer, so some refer to these institutions as trimester schools because of their unique academic calendar. Summer courses are generally offered over a shorter amount of time and are structured with up to five class sessions per week. Thus, summer sessions typically restrict students to two courses per summer term.
Each course is allotted a set amount of credit hours. This varies from school to school. Some schools give three credits per course, but the most competitive schools give five credits per course. The number of credits relates to the workload students bear. Where a four-credit course may ask students to read one book per week, a five-credit course may cover multiple books per week and meet every day.
Schools that operate on the quarter system often allot three credit hours to each course. Thus, a full load in a quarter is nine hours, while a full load for a semester is between 12 and 16 hours, depending on the school.
How Long to Graduate?
To graduate with a four-year bachelor’s degree within the prescribed four-year window from a college or university that uses the semester system, students should take a full load of courses in each semester. Since there are two semesters per year, students will take courses for eight total semesters prior to graduation. Since some students need to take a part-time load for some semesters, they may need to extend their college career into nine or more semesters.
Students who are seeking an associate degree take half as much time to graduate with their two-year degrees. Thus, an associate degree can be completed in four full-time semesters.
Those who go on and complete their bachelor’s degree and then return for a master’s degree will find that they are back to a two-year system. Though law students will return for three years, most other graduate degrees take two years, or four full-time semesters, to complete their classes.
There are other factors that can prolong one's college career. Some students find that they need to drop courses along the way or that outside concerns prohibit a full load. It is considered unwise to take less than a full schedule of courses during any semester. The added cost alone can cause long-term woes, especially for those who rely on loans to subsidize their education. The added time can also mean less opportunity to build experience in the working world.
Some students are able to make up for a dropped course during a summer term, however. While this is a workable solution, that course can inhibit one's ability to earn money in a summer job. Summer courses also add to the total cost of college.
College Semesters Vs. quarters
- Shorter class duration
- More time to study
- May have more open office or study sessions
- Easy transition from high school because the schedule is similar
- Easier access to internships
- You may have more opportunity to build connections with professors
- You may end up stuck for a much longer time in a class you don’t enjoy
- You’ll have more classes in a semester, which can be hard for people who have trouble shifting from one subject to another
- Bad grades will impact your GPA more with this system
- Switching majors can be more difficult in this system
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a J-term?
A J-term (January term) is a short, intensive academic session that takes place between the fall and spring semesters, typically lasting 3-4 weeks. It's often used for focused courses, study abroad, or internships.
Are Semesters or Quarters Better?
It depends on your learning style. The semester system offers longer, more in-depth courses, while the quarter system provides shorter, more frequent terms. Some find quarters better for focus, while others prefer the depth of a semester.
How Long Are College Classes?
College classes typically range from 50 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the school and schedule. Labs or seminars can run longer, while some courses meet multiple times per week and are shorter.
Can I Graduate Faster?
Yes, some students can graduate faster by taking summer courses, enrolling in accelerated programs, or testing out of certain subjects. However, this depends on your school’s policies and your course load.
When Do Semesters Start?
Most colleges begin the Fall semester in late August or early September, with the Spring semester starting in January or February in a few examples. Exact dates vary by school.
Can You Start a College Semester Late?
Starting a semester late is usually not recommended, as you'll miss important coursework and assignments. However, some schools may allow late enrollment in certain cases, such as medical or personal emergencies, with approval.
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