At the University of La Verne, students are given the option to attend one class for 14 days in January—also known as the famous “Jan Term”. As a freshman new to the La Verne experience, I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and take a Fantasy Movie Appreciation class for Jan Term. Here are some highlights from my experience as a Jan Term student!
1. Going back to school earlier than everyone else
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Jan Term started on January 3, 2017. Jan term students only had two weeks of winter break, which was definitely too short (in my opinion). Every day, I would go on social media and pout because I was seriously jealous of everyone who was still on break. They’re out having fun and then there’s me, already back in school and studying hard. That’s the #scholarlife for you.
2. Having one class everyday…for 3 ½ hours
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It doesn’t sound so bad at the beginning, but all the exhaustion adds up. Class became super repetitive and it took a lot to keep myself focused sometimes. I had it easier than most, because all we did in class was discuss fantasy movies and watch one movie per day. Other students who are taking a biology or chemistry lab are in class up to seven hours a day!
3. Taking Jan Term as a resident
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I honestly wouldn’t know how I would’ve survived without my car. Taking one class everyday made me so bored because I had nothing else to do for the rest of the day. My class thankfully didn’t give too much homework, so I used most of my free time catching up with my TV shows on Netflix and stuffing my face.
4. Going on midweek adventures
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Wednesdays were my free days, which made no sense to me because I would rather have Monday or Friday off to extend my weekend. Nevertheless, I took advantage of hump day and went out on adventures with my friends. And by “adventures,” I meant searching for cool food spots and stuffing our faces.
5. Having Spring semester right afterwards
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I started my spring semester the Monday after my last Jan Term class. Granted, I only had one class (7-10pm) on Mondays, but it was as if nothing has changed. It seems like I have been taking class forever, and it never ends.
Taking Jan Term was worth the struggle for me because I got to knock out one of my concentration classes in 14 days. I had no regrets because Jan Term was free, and as a college student, I love taking advantage of free stuff.