Britanny: To be honest, the quarter system is a test of your ability to adapt and manage your time. I consider myself fairly good at managing my time because I prefer to get things done ASAP. In terms of adjusting, I have a bit more difficulty. I went through this cycle where I would have a bit of a hard time adjusting the first two weeks, get fairly well adjusted by midterm season (typically Weeks 3-8) and then by the end of the quarter, I realized I had to do it all over again. When people say that the quarter system goes by fast, they’re not kidding. But I think that the quarter system helped me grow and showed me what I was capable of. It’s important to stay on top of your syllabuses and maybe keep a Google Calendar because it can be a lot to juggle if you don’t give it your all.
Cynthia: I would also like to add that it may be difficult to catch up if you put off some assignments for a few weeks, particularly the readings. For my adjustment, I just went along with everything. The transition, surprisingly, wasn’t too bad for me. That may be a result of my tendency to embrace for the worst. Your first quarter may be rough, but there is much to learn from the good and the bad. It’s totally ok to not perform as well as you hoped; it’s more important that you learn from the experience for the following quarters.
Khanh: I got to be honest, the quarter system is like one whole year squeezed into a ten week period, which will be quite rough for the first year. It is ok to have some mental breakdown as you try to adjust to the quarter system and to feel that you don’t belong for the first quarter or two because it will be rough. It will, however, push you to adjust quickly to the pace of college. Google Calendar will be very helpful and always remember, you are not alone in this journey. Reach out to your friends to destress or work on an assignment. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Don’t worry too much about failing, but rather learn from the failure. One F will NOT define you (also, you can retake the class if needed to replace the worse grade). Some people take 12 units a quarter, some take 20. Don’t compare yourself to others and just take your journey with your major at your pace.
Jessica: As others have mentioned, the quarter system goes by very fast. Each quarter, I felt like midterms came way too quickly, and once they started, they didn’t stop until finals. Adjusting to the pace can be hard, so try to use the resources available to you. Every quarter, I would read through the syllabus for each class and use Google Calendar to keep track of when exams were. Also, try to make friends in your classes so that you can have people to reach out to when you have questions. Of course, it is your first year of college, so remember to have fun and try new things as well!
Vy: For me, the quarter system was pretty rough! It was fast, rigorous, and exhausting. Make sure to be on task right from the very beginning, especially now since everything's online because it’s easy to lose track of time. Like everyone here, I also use Google Calendar religiously haha. Make sure to write down all the dates for your deadlines and exams. Share your calendars with friends and make sure to create time for yourself too! For fall quarter, I recommend taking 12 units first to see how you fare with the quarter system. Use this time to get to know people, form support groups, and enjoy new experiences at UCI. It’s gonna be tough to make friends fall quarter (since it will be online) but don't be discouraged and seek out new opportunities!
Michelle: The quarter system, like everyone has said, is extremely fast! You run through the weeks like they are nothing, one day it is week one and you’re reading the syllabus, and the next day you are taking the final. My first quarter, I took 15 units, which was four classes. It is definitely a challenge in comparison to high school because you have to manage your own schedule. The depth of knowledge you are expected to know in the amount of time you are given, especially as an engineering major, is daunting. My biggest advice is to take 12 units, and ease into it. Make sure to break down your work, use either an online or written planner or organizer to make sure you forget work and you can plan your learning. Cramming might have worked in high school, but will definitely not in college, so take it one day at a time!