<p>A lot of people say the semester system is better because it's more relaxing. However when it comes to Cal, does it just mean "two midterms"?</p>
<p>Almost all classes either have 2 midterms, or a midterm and a paper…</p>
<p>Even in Psychology classes? Where can I find course syllabus?</p>
<p>Some of my classes have had one midterm, some have had 2 midterms, some had 3. In a way it’s nice to have more than one… it means each exam counts a little bit less, and generally means less material is covered on each one. I’m not sure what the standard for psychology is, I’d imagine it depends on the professor and the course.</p>
<p>I’ve been on both systems, and I’ve always liked semesters more. You have more classes at a time, classes/lectures are shorter, and you have more time to do work. For things that go in a series (like calculus or physics) there are also fewer courses to take if you’re on a semester system (for the comparable amount of material on quarters). Also, when I was on quarters, midterms/papers were the same way… some teachers would give a couple exams, some had a midterm and final, some only had a final. It really just varies a lot.</p>
<p>i’d pick a quarter system over semester system anyday. </p>
<p>you mess up once in a semester system and it’s over. You mess up in a quarter system, not as big of a deal because it doesn’t count as much, pick up the slack next quarter.</p>
<p>But in the semester system are you less likely to mess up due to the pace?</p>
<p>I’d pick a semester system over a quarter system any day.</p>
<p>Quarter systems feel clunky (so-called quarter systems end up behaving more like trimester systems because of the optional summer, often times), confusing, and too fast-paced.</p>
<p>Thanks to our semester system, we get out for the summer really early, and we have a much longer school-free winter break (this past year it was five weeks). Also, students are not required to leave the dorms during spring break (often times they are at quarter system schools).</p>
<p>Furthermore, when attending a large public school, it’s nice to keep the number of times you have to deal with class registration to a minimum…</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be surprised if more UCs began moving away from the quarter system in the future.</p>
<p>Neither system is academically ‘harder’ than the other, in my opinion…claiming the quarter system is easier because classes don’t “count as much” makes no sense, because you could also argue that a semester system gives you fewer opportunities to receive bad grades on your transcript. I’ve taken quarter-system courses that had multiple midterms. I’ve taken semester-system courses that had one midterm. It all varies.</p>
<p>The quarter system really worries me because I have (diagnosed) anxiety issues and get bad physical symptoms from that.</p>