<p>I just had a quick question about the quarter system:</p>
<p>Each quarter is 10 weeks, right?
And one takes 3 classes per quarter, right?
And you need 35 credits to graduate, right?
(These could all possible be wrong...if so, let me know!)</p>
<p>How difficult is the work load/pacing? You are obviously taking fewer classes, but in a shorter, condensed time frame. I haven't heard any complaints...but has anyone found it difficult to adapt to?</p>
<p>Yes 10 weeks, yes 3 classes/quarter…no idea about the credit thing.</p>
<p>Yes it is pretty hard. I pretty much wanted to die my first term here (2 c’s and a D having never gotten less than a B+ in highschool). Science/math classes are especially hard because it’s not like you can just read less or write one less paper like in the humanities. On the flip side, if you don’t like one of your classes, it goes by a lot faster. And in the end, you get to take four more classes than people from other schools :-)</p>
<p>Hmm…well that’s not good; haha. You got 2 Cs and a D as your overall grades? For what classes?!</p>
<p>Any other takes on this?</p>
<p>I’ll provide another view on the quarter system. Personally, I love it. I’ll explain why but first your questions
-each quarter is 10 weeks of instruction time except winter term, which is 9 weeks.
-The normal course load is 3 classes/term. However, one may take as few as 2 or as many as 4 (with each having a limit at 3 terms).
-To graduate one needs 35 credits (1 course=1 credit), 3 PE credits (many, many ways to obtain these), to fulfill all the distrib requirements, to complete a major, and to pass a swim test.</p>
<p>Now back to the quarter system. I found it a natural adaptation and I cannot say that dart13’s experience is too common. It is certainly much more intense than your normal high school course due to the short nature of a term but I never found it overwhelming. If you stay on top of your courses they become very manageable and it is still quite easy to maintain a social life and be involved in extra circulars. Another big plus to the quarter system, at least for me, if the short time. At a semester school if you take a bad course/don’t get along with a professor/ discover that econometrics really isn’t for you you’re stuck there for half your academic year. With the quarter system I find I get to change up my courses right as my interest in them begins to diminish. Nothing like a change of pace after 10 weeks instead of 15-16. The D-plan flexibility is also a big plus to the quarter system, and makes study abroad (and multiple study abroads) very possible. While there are certainly bad points to the D-plan quarter system, I find the positives far outweigh them.</p>
<p>-Spunaugle</p>
<p>Yes, I agree the positives far outweigh the negatives… I pretty much drank from the fire hose: physics 13, multivariable calc, and bio 11.</p>
<p>There are huge positives in the quarter system as mentioned above.</p>
<p>Yeah Dart, you did take a killer load for your first term.
I think the importance thing because everything happens at such a break neck speed (some professors give midterms during the 4th and 7th weeks of class, a paper(s) then a final), it is important to have some balance in choosing your classes. I remember my daughter took a classics class that she loved, but the professor gave ~ 200 pages of reading a night then gave a quiz in the next class meeting to make sure the reading was done. There are classes that meet multi-distribution requirements.</p>
<p>If you are going to take something really heavy, make sure that you take something that you really enjoy and that is a little lighter. Not good to have all reading and writing intensive classes, not good to have a slew of Science classes with labs and problem sets.</p>
<p>How far into the quarter are you when you have to register for the next quarter’s classes?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>about six weeks.</p>
<p>also, the quarters are kind of intense but I don’t really know too many people who have too difficult a time adjusting. P13, Math 11-14 (multi calc), and bio 11 is a tougher load than most take their first term, but certainly doable. there are many worse combinations that people take and do fine with. As you spend more time here (and at college in general) you’ll be able to manage your time better (at least in theory)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses–I appreciate both views!!</p>
<p>S and Dart13 have somewhat similar hs stats, but S took a more manageable load F09. Struggled with foreign language class, though, and got much lower grade than expected in another class. Wouldn’t go back and check on it. Result was A-, B, B-. Didn’t socialize too much, worked hard but maybe not too efficiently because of learning disabilities, which have been recently diagnosed. Still trying to figure out how to manage them best in fast-paced environment. Struggling even more with 2nd FL class this term, but two others are reasonable. He has cautiously selected classes while getting through FL. Probably could get exemption, but doesn’t want to. He likes quarter system even with fast pace. Wishes there were a break like Thanksgiving in fall term to get caught up before winter term finals, but looking forward to being finished and free before spring break. He’s especially pleased with two PE’s he’s taking W10 - one a real PE, the other a shop-type class - both very new experiences for him.</p>
<p>Do most classes have two mid-terms and a final?</p>
<p>Most UC’s (except Cal) have a Quarter system as well. My sister said she has only one mid-term for many classes. If there are two mid terms, there’s no final. Some times you have a paper instead of a final. She is close to graduation though.</p>
<p>Is it similar on the D-plan? Also, does Spring break fall after the Winter quarter?</p>
<p>Hey Guys,</p>
<p>quick question. when do the actual quarters go to. like the first one is sept-thanksgiving?</p>
<p>Also, did you find it hard to be home with High school friends? Was it easy or hard to go home at all between the “quarter” breaks</p>
<p>Attaching link to school calendar</p>
<p>[Academic</a> Calendar for 2009-2010](<a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/~reg/calendars/academic/09-10.html]Academic”>This page has moved)</p>
<p>this school year, </p>
<p>Fall classes began on September 23 and ended on December 2. Finals were December 5-9</p>
<p>Students return from winter break on january 3 with classes beginning Jan 4.</p>