It’s true that the quarter system can sometimes be a complete pain in the neck. With only 10 weeks of class there is no wiggle room for the weekend that you caught the flu and couldn’t study.
Bomb a test? You’re done for. And what in the world are we supposed to do with ourselves during the six weeks when we head home for the holidays – bake pies and catch up on the latest episodes of Jersey Shore?
I’ve heard the complaints over and over again, but I think that these shortcomings are worth it for the value that the quarter system brings.
We’ve all seen the registration time freak-outs. Students want to take 10 classes in a quarter, and as much as we would all like one, we just can’t get our hands on Hermione’s time turner.
That’s why we’re so lucky to get to register not twice, but three times in an academic year. The chemistry major who’s also really interested in art history can find the time to take an art class without taking a whole semester’s credit away from her major.
The system gives freshmen more time to explore possible majors. I started off the year sure I would be a biology major. By week four, I was fairly positive that, in fact, biology was not my thing. But because we’re on the quarter system, I didn’t have to worry about waiting half of a year to test out a possible new major.
I was also able to drop my now not-so-useful chemistry class without any concern about taking too few credits. The short time span also allows DU to offer classes with more specific topics. Currently, in week nine, it is common to hear the groans of students who are becoming sick of their classes. Imagine if we still had another five weeks to go.
Professors would be squeezing the material out of some classes. Of course, any topic can be discussed for the length of a semester, but students are always looking forward to a change in pace.
The 10-week system keeps our minds fresh so that by the end of the quarter, we feel satisfied rather than suffocated. As difficult as it will be to part with our friends over the long winter break, DU students are fortunate enough to not need to worry about school while on vacation.
It is easy to forget course material in the midst of all that pumpkin pie and tree decorating. In high school, I used to be disappointed that homework put a damper on the holiday season. At DU, we can take the time to let our brains rest and prepare for the winter.
