The structure of the academic calendars may be different from one university to another. Many institutions have different terms, such as semesters, trimesters, quarters…
SEMESTER
Two per year, each one lasts between 14 and 20 weeks.
In the United States, there are two ways to study a semester. Most offer the traditional system, where students attend several classes simultaneously between 14 and 20 weeks, according to the college’s schedule. But other institutions, such as Colorado College and Cornell College, allow students to focus on one class at a time, in a three-and-a-half-week mini-session (on one course at a time, OCAAT) and then move on to another class. Although having only one class at a time may seem easier, it is not; it requires intensive dedication in a short time.
TRIMESTER
Three per year, each one lasts between 10 and 12 weeks, not including summer.
One of the advantages of this system is that it gives you the possibility of graduating faster, in three years in some universities. But often, you'll have to take summer classes to be able to do so. If you want to have summer free to rest, or start working, you should check other systems.
QUARTERS
Four per year, each lasts between 9 and 11 weeks, including summer.
This model offers you three main terms, each between 10 and 12 weeks, with a summer term. It is common for universities with quarters system to start classes later than the rest.
4-1-4 or 4-4-1
Two long terms per year that last about 14 weeks each, and a short session in January or May.
This is a combined modality in which you can take two terms of approximately four months each and a short period between, or after spring. As a curiosity, short periods are often called "J Terms", since most occur in January (January), or "Maymester", for those in May.
The short terms only last a month, so you can focus on a single subject. Although many universities offer the option of studying this month abroad, or in another city as an exchange. In other cases, you can do internships for a month.
CONTINUOUS
There are no breaks, and each course begins immediately the previous one has been completed.
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