Night Powell is full to the brim, the line for salads at The Study is long, and lounges are filled with the sound of people reviewing and struggling to understand concepts – this is what Weeks four, five and six look like during a quarter at UCLA. UCLA uses the quarter system, which is split into three 10-week terms rather than a typical two semester system that the majority of schools use. Only about 5% of universities in the United States use the quarter system currently, and the number of schools participating in this schedule has been declining over time. Being on a quarter system has its pros and cons, but the system ties into UCLA’s unique rhythm and signature energy as a “work hard, play hard” school.
Cons:
My personal least favorite part of UCLA’s quarter system (so far, since I’ve only been here for a little over a month) is how late the school year actually starts. Being an out-of-state student from New England, most of my friends left for college in mid-August, while my move-in date for UCLA was September 18th. Leaving late and returning late definitely feels lonely and a little isolating – I felt like I was going insane by myself. When you actually arrive on campus, it feels like there is always a test coming up or something else on the to-do list. At UCLA, the weeks fly by, and the grind truly never stops.
Pros:
Sometimes, it feels as if UCLA’s quarter system gets too much hate – personally, I’ve found some gems about our unique school year. In high school, taking seven classes at once swamped me with work, especially with the high demand of AP courses. Taking only three or four courses at once allows my brain so much more time and energy to give more focus into the individual subjects, and less like I’m reeling or speeding through work to catch up. So far, I definitely retain information better with a lighter course load. Additionally, I’m inspired by the level of determination and focus every student at UCLA has. Being in The Study or Powell, where you can hear quiet sounds of pencils scratching and typing on keyboards, serves as motivation for me to get my work done as well.
Pacing Yourself: How to “Work Hard, Play Hard”:
Despite being incredibly fast-paced, UCLA students know how to have fun. The big challenge that everyone on the quarter system seems to struggle with: how do I pace myself and make sure I don’t fall behind? I don’t have the answer, and it seems to be a skill that comes over time. From my minor amount of experience and from the help of upperclassmen, there are some tips I have gathered that seem to work relatively well. It seems like a good general idea to always try to be ahead of your work – if you know you’re going to be tired over the weekend, get readings done early, take notes and make sure you understand everything. The most important measure to take is to ensure that you aren’t missing any assignments by linking work to a calendar. Coming from high school to college was a shock for me due to the lack of due dates and reminders for every assignment. Finally, don’t be afraid to reward yourself for your hard work, and don’t forget to take the rest that you need!
UCLA’s intense and chaotic quarter system is what makes the school feel alive. Being a Bruin is defined by this high-speed mindset, and building this balance will undoubtedly serve as a priceless skill in the future.