Features Editor
From three quarters to two semesters, and a list of pros and cons, CSU Bakersfield continues to move forward with their plans to change to the semester system.
CSUB pledged to both current and incoming students that the change would not delay the expected time for graduation, nor would it cost more money.
“I honestly don’t like it. I feel like it’s going to take longer,” said junior computer science major Arielle Battle.
Academic Operations Director John Dirkse stated that though the change to semester will put CSUB students back in school early in August, there are still a lot of benefits to the change from quarter to semester.
“I think they’re a lot of benefits to the students, and I don’t think they’ll realize it till they get in there a year.”
Most courses in the fall will be converted from five quarter units to three semester units. Students who plan to graduate in four years our advised to take 15 units each semester. For financial aid, a full load is 12 semester units.
However, students majoring in natural science, mathematics and engineering should expect most of their classes to convert to four semester units. In this case students are advised to take 16 units a semester.
“If students don’t take the five per term [classes], or the equivalent of five per term, then they’re going to be a little delayed in graduating,” said Dirkse. “For the three quarters you paid last year, you’re going to pay about the same amount this year for two semesters.”
Opposed to the 180 units to graduate in the quarter system only 120 units are now needed to graduate in the semester system.
“I’m pretty indifferent about it,” senior anthropology major Andy Nasrawin said. “I think the pros out-weigh the cons.”
Some of the perks that come along with the semester system is that students will have more time to learn and articulate more information versus having to cram within a ten-week quarter. Also, students only have to worry about two finals weeks instead of three.
And because the semester system ends in May aligning with high school and community colleges summer break, CSUB students have a chance to apply for jobs during the summer instead of having to wait two weeks while high schoolers snatch up the jobs.
In addition, there will also be more classes offered for students during the semester and unique one unit filler classes students can pick and choose to take for their eight or five miscellaneous units, depending on their catalog rights.
“I always advised all of my students to take one activity class every term, I’m not saying for financial aid or whatever reasons. Just it will force you to exercise, workout, get your mind off of class,” Dirkse said. “Just do something to stay in good physical condition; it’s important to your studying and your general well-being. You can’t study if you’re not feeling comfortable or you’re unhappy about your weight, and you’re worried about not getting exercise and now you’re trying to study. It’s not going to work, your brain is just not in the right place.”
One change students might come to notice is that PEAK classes are now kinesiology courses, which will offer more activity classes than ever before.
Some of these classes include basketball, yoga, cycling, judo, swim and many more.
“Don’t panic, our goal is that you will take no longer to graduate than you would’ve if we would have stayed on quarters,” said Dirkse.
