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

yodude888

It's kinda weird, I was wondering exactly the same thing.

Reply 2

Ed.

I suppose they believe a shorter and more intense course aids learning, but it is a very good question.

Reply 3

jjpp

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

lottie12

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

v1oXx-

Your GCSEs are 9A*s and 4A*s? Do you mean 4 A's? :wink:

Reply 6

alenax

Don't you get reading weeks?

Reply 7

jjpp

alenax

Don't you get reading weeks?

No, we don't even get a proper fresher's week.

Reply 8

Lex Talionis

I have a nervous breakdown every other day. I'm not even joking.

Reply 9

Cities

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

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.

Reply 11

Oddjob39A

I thought everyone had two terms of 8 weeks with no breaks? :s-smilie:

We do here at Liverpool

Reply 12

ninety_nine

Do Durham follow the same terms?

Reply 13

hobnob

ninety_nine

Do Durham follow the same terms?

No, they don't. Why would they?

Reply 14

estel

Lots of universities have 10 week terms with no breaks. Eight weeks is just slacking :p:

Reply 15

The West Wing

To induce suicidal tendancies in their students. :frown:

Reply 16

LH123

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.

Reply 17

TheRandomer

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

hobnob

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: