<p>Can somebody explain this weird academic calendar? :P I have been googling around without success...</p>
<ul>
<li>When does school start/end?</li>
<li>How many weeks of school?</li>
<li>What breaks are there?</li>
<li>How is stress-level normal semester system?</li>
<li>Pros?</li>
<li>Cons?</li>
</ul>
<p>The trimester system is identical to the semester system, only 2 weeks shorter. </p>
<p>As such, Michigan’s fall term starts in early September instead of late August and Michigan’s Winter term ends in late April instead of mid May. </p>
<p>Since it is two weeks shorter, the pace is a little quicker and more intense than typical semester. </p>
<p>The main benefit is very longer summer breaks, starting the last week of April and ending the first week of September. Michigan students can easily take a summer class or have a summer internship while still having 2 months to relax and do something more recreational.</p>
<p>The main problem is the slightly quicker pace and a slightly shorter winter break.</p>
<p>The majority of students only attend two of the trimesters (fall and winter). If you want you can also attend spring/summer classes. If you only attend fall and winter it will seem identical to a semester system but faster as Alexandre said.</p>
<p>There is a break for Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday only), Christmas Break (about two weeks) and a Spring Break (one week during the last week of February). There may be a day or two off in October. I can’t remember for sure.</p>
<p>The spring and summer half-terms are about 7-8 weeks each so you can spend a half-term in Ann Arbor and still have a couple of months off during the summer.</p>
<p>The biggest con is that by the time the weather gets really nice in the spring it is just about time to study for finals. Spring break is earlier than most colleges.</p>