Instead of semesters, UCM classes are split up into six periods, all about seven weeks long. That means that right now, I’m in the midst of finals!
So far, this rapidly paced style has been a little bit difficult to get used to. I’ll admit that GW spoiled me a bit with its semester season— especially with no clearly defined midterm period. It’s much easier to pace out your work. At UCM, everything is quick, quick, quick!
Furthermore, since UCM is an honors college focused on Problem Based Learning, the onus is really on the students to learn material. Classes are discussion based, meaning that you can’t get away with not reading. For most of the exchange students, this has meant spending 7 hours or so a day in the library.
It’s not all bad though. Like any seasoned university student, I’ve adopted a finals grind system. I grab a coffee and give myself a set period of time to work, then take a 10 minute break and then do it again. I’ve found that it’s so much easier to type out a 3,000 word essay on Yemen or Eastern Europe with an oat milk latte. That plus the breaks prevents me from going crazy in the middle of the library!