Beginning college in the first place is a huge change for everyone, but it's even more different for incoming first-year quarter-system students. Most universities are run based on the semester system, similar to how high schools operate, starting around the end of August and going through two semesters until the end of May or beginning of June. But there are a handful of universities that go by the quarter system, which usually begins around the end of September and goes through three quarters and finishes around mid-June. This system moves much quicker, because each quarter is only 10 weeks long. Now that I have one year under my belt at a quarter-system-run university, I will share my top 10 tips for being successful on the quarter system.
1. Do the reading
For any kind of English, History, Ethics, and other similar classes, there is going to be a lot of reading throughout the 10 weeks of your quarter in that class. Usually, when there is reading, there are papers due as well at the end of the quarter. Don't be that student who puts it off until the last minute and has to read the entire 500-page book in one night. It won't go well, and you will most likely end up like Spongebob trying to write his essay.
2. Always be working on something
Even when you don't have any assignments due the next day, I would highly recommend working on papers or projects that you know are going to be due at the end of the quarter. It's never too early to start--you don't want to have all of your projects pile up on top of each other at the end of the quarter. The end comes around fast, and it is not fun being up all night working on them when they are all due the next day. You will have a meltdown.
3. Meet your professors
Because each quarter goes by so quickly, it is really important to get to know your professors in the first week. You want them to know who you are if you ever need any help, and you're just going to get busier and busier as the quarter goes on. It's much easier to ask for help when you know who you're talking to. Quarters go by much faster than expected, so introduce yourself right away. Brownie points for you. You go, Glen Coco!
4. Be prepared for midterms (weeks three to nine)
On the quarter system, "midterm" does not stand for what it actually means in any sense of the word. Professors will give you "midterms" at basically any time during week three through week nine--you will most likely have one every week between then. Oh, and don't be surprised if you have a "midterm" one week or less before your final...quarter-system professors love doing that. Always be prepared, because you never really know when they're going to surprise you with the next one.
5. Go to class
The quarter system moves extremely fast. If you miss just one class, you could be missing an entire century of Chinese history. Even if you keep up with the reading and other assignments, missing class can be detrimental to your understanding of the material, and even to your grade. If you're not a morning person, don't sign up for 8 a.m. classes every day--you probably won't wake up, and you'll miss every class. Just showing up will also show your professor you care. So even if you're tired, GO TO CLASS.
I hope these tips help all of you incoming quarter-system kids. Take them seriously, because they really are important!
