I'm trying to plan my schedule and wondering about the usual length of a college semester. How many weeks does a college semester generally last? Does it vary a lot between schools, or is there a standard duration?
Generally, a college semester typically lasts around 15 to 16 weeks. This includes the timespan for instruction, as well as final exam week. However, this may somewhat vary from one institution to another. For instance, some colleges may have a 14-week instructional period followed by a week for final exams.
The beginning and end dates of these semesters can also swing based on the institution. Some universities start their fall semester in late August and ends in mid-December, whereas others might begin in early September and finish in late December.
Moreover, there are also universities that operate on trimester or quarter systems instead of semesters. In these cases, the academic year is divided into three or four terms, respectively, and each term would be shorter than a standard semester. Check your college's academic calendar to find the most accurate dates for your specific situation.
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