More importantly, for anyone who has experienced both systems: any advice on how to adjust? Unit loads? I'm from a semester-system CC, but obviously most UCs are on a quarter system and I never really thought of the implications of that until recently.</p>
<p>I think that I will prefer the quarter system over the semester system, even though I've never been on one before. The idea of a compressed, fast-paced schedule appeals to me much more than long unit-heavy semesters. For example, I preferred taking 10 semester units during the summer session than I did 20+ units during the fall and spring semesters.</p>
<p>Also, I find myself getting very burnt out during semesters--like my life literally goes to hell because I stop taking care of myself and get absorbed into my studies. And not because I want to, but because I have to in order to get good grades in demanding courses (I'm a math/science major btw). I see intermediate breaks, even if for no more than a week or so, as a huuuuuge benefit to the quarter system. For example, right now I am desperately waiting for spring break to arrive so that I can take a ****ing breather!</p>
<p>I’m taking classes at UCSD and they’re not as fast paced as you think. Maybe it’s different at UCLA.</p>
<p>Also, when you compare it to Berkeley’s schedule, you’ll notice that a lot more material is covered on the semester system. For example, UCSD splits up real analysis into (a minimum of) 2 quarters. Berkeley does it in one semester. Presumably, these two courses cover the same amount of material.</p>
<p>Based on your previous post about you taking 25 units of math and science classes per one semester, I would guess you’re a week behind in work just by writing out this post.</p>
<p>^ No need to be a dick. I’m just trying to get an idea of how different people feel about quarter vs. semester systems; and whether my perception of what a quarter system is like is valid or not (fast paced, more frequent intermittent breaks between quarters, etc.).</p>
<p>Also, you bring up a good point. A quarter, from my understanding is roughly 10 weeks long, whereas a semester is roughly 15 weeks long. Since I too have looked at course catalogs (particularly UCLA) and have noticed that courses such as analysis and linear algebra are put into sequences of 2-3 quarters, how is the time made up? All-in-all, do you end up getting the same number of courses after two years between the systems (take UCLA and Berkeley math major for example).</p>
<p>Your normal course load would be 15 units. In a quarter system, you take three quarters in an academic year, giving you 45 quarter units per year. In a semester system, you take two semesters in an academic year, giving you 30 semester units per year. This is the same amount of credit, and should theoretically be the same amount of course content learned.</p>
<p>If you are taking sequenced courses like math, you need to pay attention to completing the sequence before transferring so that you do not end up needing to partially repeat a course (note articulations on [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) – they can get messy between quarter and semester schools).</p>
<p>^ Somehow it escaped me while writing my last post that there would be three quarters in a quarter-system, as opposed to two semesters for a semester system. And I have made sure everything is articulated correctly, so that shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>Do quarter systems have summer “quarter” options like semester systems? Also, what are the typical dates for the various quarters throughout the academic year?</p>
<p>I prefer quarter, in high school towards the end of a semester I would get burnt out. I’m doing better in college now on the quarter system.</p>
<p>As far as dates go.</p>
<p>1) Fall quarter is usually from September to mid-December.
2) Winter is from January to mid-March.
3) Spring is April to mid-June.
4) Summer is July to mid-August.</p>
<p>I go to UCR (which is on the quarter system) and I love the quarter system! Even though the quarter moves very quickly, considering that it is only about 10 weeks long, I love having the opportunity to take tons of classes. Since the regular school year is divided into four parts (that is if you attend summer), things aren’t too boring because your schedule changes so often.</p>
<p>Is sping semester really not over until mid-june in the quarter system?
Thats crazy! I get out in this in 2 weeks in my current semester system so that seems quite long. Im used to my 4 month summer break lol</p>