Introduction
There are three major systems where an institution can divide its academic year calendar; Quarterly, Semester, or Tri semester system. Each of these three systems has its benefits and disadvantages for both the institution and its students. However, our focus in this article will be on the What is the meaning of Semester system used by most institutions.
What Is The Meaning Of The Semester System?
A semester system is a term that represents the division of an academic year calendar for an institution into two separate sections. The two sections are named the first and second semesters. Both semesters fall within the fall and spring periods.
- The First semester is the beginning of an academic year’s calendar work. It can also be referred to as the start of a new level. It commences during the fall period and ends with a winter break. The first semester lasts for about three months.
- The second semester is the conclusion of academic session coursework. It’s also known as the spring semester because it commences at the beginning of the spring period. The second semester ends with a summer break, and it’s slated for about three months.
Furthermore, a semester system has two main goals: ongoing assessment and motivating students to develop regular study skills. As a result, a semester system enables students to engage in ongoing learning, face assessments, and receive essential feedback. This technique makes it much easier to assess student achievement twice a year.
Advantages Of A Semester System
– It provides a suitable environment for a consistent learning
– It promotes a stronger relationship among students for active learning sessions.
– It helps in building great and long-lasting study habits.
– Much classroom interaction among lecturers and students is feasible with the semester system plan.
Disadvantages Of A Semester System
– Limited time for learning
Most of the time, the three months slated for a semester are not always enough for lecturers to cover up the curriculum for that semester resulting in much workload to be done by students in a very short period.
– Unfinished syllabus
Due to the limited time needed to complete a whole syllabus for the session, some lecturers end up not being able to complete their syllabus. Some lecturers end up rushing the remaining course syllabus close to exams, which is detrimental to students’ mental health.
– Sometimes, the Semester system can discourage students from actively involved in extracurricular activities due to the heavy workload.
How Can One Benefit Maximally From A Semester Plan System?
– Adopt a feasible daily schedule
Since each semester lasts for about three months with classes, loads of assignments per week, research work, and other academic engagements, the most effective way to get the best out of a semester system is to have a well-laid plan and make sure it’s very feasible.
If your daily schedule is rigid, you won’t achieve the basic things you are expected to do for that day, and it may get you frustrated. Therefore, prioritize having a feasible daily schedule.
– Be actively involved in extracurricular activities
The best way to explore college life is to be actively involved in something beyond academics. Most institutions have various clubs that students can join. For instance, someone that’s good at writing or is interested in improving her writing skill can join the school writing club.
Other extracurricular activities are; Community service forums, music groups, etc. It will be easy to be actively involved in extracurricular activities when you have a flexible daily schedule.
– Networking
Since you are in the university to study and obtain that degree, networking is one thing a university student should not take with levity.
The institution has various students from all walks of life, and you never can tell who you may need his/her help in the nearest future. Sometimes, that one thing you need to hear to get to the next phase may be from interacting with a student you met on your way to your college club that you are involved in. Meet new people ( both inside and beyond your faculty), interact with them, and build a great connection.
– Apply for internship opportunities
Applying for internship opportunities with companies helps you gain experiences about the world you will face outside the four walls of a school. Furthermore, Internship gives you the practical aspect of your course and increases your chance of getting employed after college life. It also gives you the platform to have various volunteering experiences to write in your curriculum vitae once you’ve obtained your college degree. So, whether it’s a paid or unpaid internship/volunteering, Get involved.
Conclusion
As reiterated above, most colleges use the semester system to enable more interaction between lectures and students without any incessant breaks. Although, a semester system might be likely overwhelming for some students due to the academic workload to cover within 15 weeks.
Nevertheless, students in such situations should apply the abovementioned strategies to get the best from each semester.
FAQ
Does a semester system mean a six-month school period?
Yes, it does. You can refer to a semester system as six months or half of a year of the academic school session.
Between Tri semester and Semester systems, which one promotes better comprehension of coursework?
Most of the time, the semester system is picked as the best by students as it enhances a better understanding of course work and gives students a lengthy period to study and learn from their lecturers before tests and exams come up.
What is the minimum amount of courses one can take in college?
The minimum amount of courses one can take for a semester depends on three major things; The academic calendar system plan your college is on, your field of study, and the total credit units you are to take for each semester.
What’s the total number of lecture periods an average university student can take in one semester [regarding the semester system?
An average full-time college student should take about five to six classes, expected to be 15 credit units or more, depending on the student’s major.
