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Students are faced with a slew of new obligations and obstacles as the semester begins. However, it is tough for students to return to the tiresome routine after spending a few weeks away from college and relaxing over the holidays. Preparing for a new semester year, whether they spent their post-exam vacation relaxing or working, may be daunting and intimidating. As a result, it’s critical to enter the new semester with a well-thought-out strategy and a good attitude.
Every new class, as you are all aware, is a continuation of the prior one. You’ll be learning the same themes and phrases in a more in-depth and enlarged version this year. So, in the new semester, you’ll be expected to recall everything you studied in the previous year in order to prepare your mind for mental work.
What does semester mean?
A semester is the first half of a school year. When an academic year is broken down into semesters, it is separated into two parts. (A trimester is a three-month period divided into thirds of a year.)In high schools and universities, semesters are commonly employed. A semester at most universities lasts 15 to 18 weeks. A semester at a German university might run up to six months.
How to prepare for the semester?
SET GOALS
It’s critical to set goals for the new semester before you begin studying and making new friends. What is the purpose of your studies? What factors influenced your decision to pursue this particular topic? What do you want to get out of your studies, and is it more important to you to finish them quickly, move abroad for a year, or get your first job experience by working on the side?
PLAN YOUR SEMESTER
You can access your online learning platform and register for courses as soon as you are enrolled at the university and have paid your H fee. In most circumstances, you can create your own schedule, but make sure there are no dates that overlap! Popular courses tend to sell out quickly, so sign up as soon as possible! Registration deadlines frequently begin during the semester – or summer vacation – so keep an eye on your online learning programme during your “downtime” to ensure you don’t miss any critical dates.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A STUDY GRANTS (OR OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS)
Obviously, not everyone meets all of the standards for student aid – but it is worthwhile to apply at least once, even if the chances of winning the whole scholarship are minimal. You can also apply for other scholarships in Austria, such as a merit-based scholarship, which is different from student aid in that it is only available at the conclusion of the semester.
ATTEND ORIENTATION EVENTS
Every semester’s alpha and omega is good preparation. You should go around the university before your first lecture, especially if you are a freshman, so you don’t have to frantically walkabout on the first day seeking the correct lecture hall!
Many colleges provide orientation events during the first week of the semester to show you where to receive your student ID, as well as where the cafeteria and other essential university facilities are located. These events are frequently hosted by students from higher semesters, so take advantage of the opportunity to ask any concerns you may have regarding studies, student life, or teachers!
ENJOY!!
Without a doubt, this is the most important factor on the list! Have fun with your studies! Studying should provide you with the opportunity to learn new things, broaden your horizons, and meet interesting people and topics. It should not simply consist of sitting in a university, listening to a lecturer, then going home and studying until you fall asleep (except perhaps during the examination phase).
For many young people, starting a degree is a significant step forward and frequently marks the start of a new era of life. We hope that our suggestions have made the transition to university life a bit simpler for you, and we wish you the best of luck in the upcoming semester!
Benefits of Semester System
When compared to an annual system, it keeps students active all year long with the same level of workload, rather than accumulating work at the end of the year. When compared to a quarterly system, it is more flexible and has a slower study pace, which is beneficial to pupils. It’s only that you complete a course in less than 5 months.
It’s a type of intensive learning. Previously, the course was stretched out over a year, and you had to work hard to recall everything that was taught in the first month.
If the pre-requisite course is taught in the previous semester, another course that requires a prerequisite might be offered in the following semester. If you take a non-semester course, you will have to wait a full year to complete it.
Teachers benefit from the semester system since they only have to teach one or two subjects per semester rather than four or five for the entire year. They should concentrate on a smaller number of subjects in order to improve their teaching.
The most significant advantage of this technique is that it minimizes student workload while also instilling consistent study habits. Because the academic year is divided into two semesters, students can clear their backlog in one or more topics even after moving on to the next semester.
FAQ’s
What are the advantages of the semester system?
Flexibility Students can enrol in more classes each year because of the semester system. This means you'll have greater freedom to attempt new subjects and courses, and it may even be easier to change majors along the way.
What are the disadvantages of the semester system of education?
The semester system suffers from a lack of time. The majority of the time, teachers do not finish the curriculum on time. Students that arrive late will have a tough time catching up with the subject and completing the revision. Because the review procedure takes place twice a year, the semester system adds to the workload.
Q. What is the difference between an annual and a semester exam?
Ans:
- Semester exam the first half of a school year is known as a semester. An academic year is divided into two halves when it is divided into semesters. (A trimester is three months divided into three-thirds of a year.)Semesters are extensively used in high schools and universities. In most universities, a semester lasts 15 to 18 weeks.
- Annual exam An annual system is characterized as a continuous period of study with no breaks. It is a conventional method that includes a wider range of subjects than the semester system. At the end of the year, an exam is administered. When students reach college, they feel free to ponder about their studies, and the institution has adequate time to produce question papers throughout the year. It is also possible to lower the number of examiners and examinations. Which makes the university more cost-effective.
