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why are oxbridge terms so short & without a break?

I always wondered why

a) oxbridge terms (and I think durham as well) are shorter than in all other universities?
b) why isn't there a break half way like in school? perhaps the lack of a regular 'school day' makes a lot of difference, but certainly when I go to school I can't work efficiently after 4-5 weeks, I'm worried I won't manage 8

also- how do you find the term length in terms of work load, stamina, focus and stress if you are at either?

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Reply 1
Avatar for yodude888
yodude888
16
It's kinda weird, I was wondering exactly the same thing.
Reply 2
Avatar for Ed.
Ed.
17
I suppose they believe a shorter and more intense course aids learning, but it is a very good question.
Reply 3
Avatar for jjpp
jjpp
11
a) tradition
b) 8 weeks isn't that long. It gets it out of the way so academics can do research.

In term work load is high, many people are stressed, around week 5 or 6 a lot of people start to struggle. But you get used to it and it makes you better at working and more prepared for working life i would say. In terms of working hard, I'm not saying it endows you any more with teh emotional intelligence that is often required in jobs.
Reply 4
Avatar for lottie12
lottie12
2
There's quite a few universities like that. Leicester has short terms too. It isn't that bad... to be honest, I prefer it as you get into a routine! Having 4 weeks off at Christmas ruins everything.
Reply 5
Avatar for v1oXx-
v1oXx-
12
Your GCSEs are 9A*s and 4A*s? Do you mean 4 A's? :wink:
Reply 6
Avatar for alenax
alenax
14
Don't you get reading weeks?
Reply 7
Avatar for jjpp
jjpp
11
alenax
Don't you get reading weeks?


No, we don't even get a proper fresher's week.
I have a nervous breakdown every other day. I'm not even joking.
Reply 9
Avatar for Cities
Cities
16
yellowwdaisy


also- how do you find the term length in terms of work load, stamina, focus and stress if you are at either?


so far it's ok, but i know soon enough i'll get a shock
Reply 10
Avatar for parkerpen
parkerpen
As others have said, tradition and it gives the academics time to do research. It can be a bit tough and quite a few people get week 4 blues but everyone pretty much manages.
I thought everyone had two terms of 8 weeks with no breaks? :s-smilie:

We do here at Liverpool
Do Durham follow the same terms?
Reply 13
Avatar for hobnob
hobnob
14
ninety_nine
Do Durham follow the same terms?

No, they don't. Why would they?
Reply 14
Avatar for estel
estel
18
Lots of universities have 10 week terms with no breaks. Eight weeks is just slacking :p:
To induce suicidal tendancies in their students. :frown:
Reply 16
Avatar for LH123
LH123
17
estel
Lots of universities have 10 week terms with no breaks. Eight weeks is just slacking :p:



Oxbridge people get like, one essay a week though, as far as I know.
hobnob
No, they don't. Why would they?


We have:
Michelmas - 10 weeks incl freshers week
Epiphany and Easter - 8, then 8, actually.
Not the same dates but I don't think that's what ninety_nine was getting at. :s-smilie: The terms are still short and intense.
Reply 18
Avatar for hobnob
hobnob
14
TheRandomer
We have:
Michelmas - 10 weeks incl freshers week
Epiphany and Easter - 8, then 8, actually.
Not the same dates but I don't think that's what ninety_nine was getting at. :s-smilie: The terms are still short and intense.

Fair enough, but they're still not "following the same terms" by any stretch of the imagination. And there's no reason why they should, of course.:smile:
LH123
Oxbridge people get like, one essay a week though, as far as I know.


Depends what subj. For PPS we do 3 every 2 weeks.

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