As people embark on the next chapters of their lives, many people are torn between the decision of the quarter system versus the semester systems. Colleges throughout the world vary between these two systems. The semester system is equivalent to most high schools, in which classes are scheduled and changed twice throughout the year. Whereas, the quarter system, is only slightly different in that it contains three class changes. Both systems work similarly, beginning at a certain place and ended with some sort of final assignment, however both systems have pros and cons.
The semester system is a simpler school system, because there is less changing and there is more time for learning. Each semester is about three to four months long, depending on when the school starts and ends, and within that time period, students decide on about four or five classes to take. This may sound like a lot, but in actuality, it’s a fairly decent about of work and with a lot of time, it makes the classes slower and easier. The semester system also starts school early, so that they can have time to get through one semester in time for winter and Christmas break. This can be seen as a good thing and a bad thing. On the one hand, if the school starts early then the ending comes quicker, however, on the other hand, then your starting school before other people that may be starting late, and it's possible that summer is cut short. Even though, semester may seem like a burden, truthfully, it's more academic and with slower classes, emphasizes learning more than the quarter system.
The quarter system is different than the semester system because it consists of three virtually small school semesters. This means that the material that most schools get through in a semester must be taught within ten weeks, or a shorter quarter. Some people feel that this type of schooling is helpful, in that students are able to get through numerous classes in a short period of time. This can be viewed from both perspectives, one of learning more and one of containing less information. However, unlike the semester system, the quarter system allows for the school to push their dates back, making time for an extra long vacation and summer break.
While both systems have good and bad aspects, both set out to educate the student one way or another. Colleges dictate which type of learning will be given, and just like its different for the colleges, each opinion about the system is different as well.
