Times, they are a'changin'

As long as I have known about Mercyhurst, it has had a trimester system.  Theis means that we have three 10 week terms during the year and lots of breaks in between.  Classes move at a faster pace, but you take on less work at a time and it makes classes (especially if you don't like them) go by REALLY quickly.  I personally love them and couldn't imagine a different schedule.

However, Mercyhurst is in a transition phase right now.  We are growing by the minute, building new buildings, planning for a very exciting future, and hopefully becoming Mercyhurst University by this time next year.  All of these things are SUPER exciting, but they do mean that there will need to be some changes to the Laker way of life so many of us have grown accustomed to.   Click here to read about Mercyhurst's future, or here to learn about "university" status!

Because university standards require more class time for all students throughout the year, the trimester seems will need to be modified, or dropped altogether.  They have several options; these include traditional semesters, a longer school year and longer classtimes, or the unique 4-1-4 system.  These are all laid on the table and there is a huge debate that is buzzing around the school about the future of the Mercyhurst schedule. 

When this does change, I probably won't really be affected since it will most likely take place a couple years from now.  But, for all you future Lakers out there, it will be something that you will have to keep in mind!  Personally, I think all the changes are exciting and will really make this already great school even better.  I know a lot of students that are outraged at the changes, but that's because we are all a little resistant to change at first!

Anyway, if you're interested in learning more about the options for the schedule change, check out the link to the Merciad (school newspaper) below!
http://merciad.mercyhurst.edu/content/college-considers-calendar-change

Study, Study, Study: Midterms have arrived!

Sooo, as we go through a long period of endless raining, we are also going through the wonderful time that is midterms.  Everyone on campus is studying to take what are usually the first tests of the year and it is certainly a very tense time.  However, even though I seem to be doing more school work lately than fun, midterms also means that this term is already halfway over! 

This wonderfullllllll thought is due to the awesome Mercyhurst trimester system.  A lot of people outside of Mercyworld hear the word "trimester" and think, "What on Earth is that??"  It is very rare nowadays, especially with most schools moving into a semester system.  But, let me tell you, trimesters are the way to go!  They are a lot like quarters in that we have three 10-week terms every year.  Each term we take 3-4 classes. 

This is really nice because it means at any certain time you only have 3-4 classes worth of homework.  At semester schools, you could have to do 8 classes worth of homework at once!  That's a lottttt of reading and papers!  It's also really convenient because if there happens to be a class that you hate (there is no doubt you will have a few of those), that class will be over really soon.  I love the fast pace and the fact that we constantly change scenery throughout the year.  You get to meet three sets of friends in class every year, plus we get really looooong breaks between terms that other schools don't get!

So basically, even though midterms are stressinggggg me out right now, the trimester system is totally worth the stress at the end of the day!  Just another one of the many reasons that Mercyhurst is such an awesome school to choose!