The Perks of the Quarter

By Jonathan Tomczak

Six weeks off for Christmas. Done with school by the middle of May. The semester system sure looks good on paper.

Then I realize what I'm saying, and shake my head.

I have friends that go to schools that are on the two-term system, rejoicing over these benefits. And I've wished for those gimmicks as well, along with so many others around campus.

But there are advantages to being on the quarter system, some less obvious than others.First and foremost is the sheer amount of classes we get to take. 

By having three quarters instead of two semesters, we get to take 50 percent more classes every year. 

If the courseload is about average, that means 16 more classes over the course of an undergraduate career. Thus the degree program you're in allows for more substance and depth than a school on the semester system, or you have more opportunities to explore classes outside your degree. 

Schools on the quarter system make students more experienced or more well-rounded. Often, it's both.

Many people don't like that classes are only 10 weeks long. Yet the system is structured so that some of the more difficult material from prerequisite classes is reviewed and improved upon in following courses; the end of MATH 11 bleeds into MATH 12. This way, degree programs build on themselves.

If it's a stand-alone class for a graduation requirement, the most important information will suffice. So calling a class "only 10 weeks long" is slightly inaccurate. Plus, there isn't as much material to make up if something happens. I have a friend from San Francisco State University who missed a semester last year and is still trying to get back on track.

It's understandable to be jealous of schools on the semester system, especially when they're breaking for summer and we're just getting over spring midterms. Yet that feeling in August, when they're trudging off to class and we're still sleeping in, is totally worth it. 

I like starting later in the year; maybe that's just personal opinion, but I see it as a total upside. When it comes to six weeks off for Christmas, let's be honest: no one needs that much time off. Yuletide cheer only goes so far.

The grass always seems greener on the other side. No doubt there are many students at San Jose State University and the University of California, Berkeley who look at our academic calendar and cry with envy. 

While many people would call it a tie between the two systems, I'm confident that we came out on top, and found the better way. So the next time the idea comes that switiching to a semester system would be the best thing ever, just remember that we've got a pretty awesome schedule.

Now, getting Veterans Day off, that's a whole different story.

Jonathan Tomczak is a junior political science and history double major.