1 Week – Camila Jackson

As the J-term selections for sophomores, juniors, and seniors took place just a few days ago, I’ve heard some of my classmates show disappointment and others show approval regarding the change in the length of J-term. From my point of view, I believe having a 1-week J-term is better than having a 2-week J-term, like in previous years. Even though I am a little sad about the fact that I will only take one J-term course, I also see many advantages to it.

Megan Schimdt, Student Records and Academic Coordinator and Freshman Experience Co-Director, said, “J-term is a great way to land softly into the second semester. You get a week to immerse yourself in something really fun, make new friends, and connect with other students who like the same things you do. You get to see another side of your teachers as they learn alongside you within a topic they love but don’t necessarily teach in school.”

J-Term is a long-awaited and exciting part of the school year for many students as it is something that makes Cathedral different from many other schools in the area. It offers students the opportunity to take intensive, focused courses, engage in internships, go abroad, or take part in different projects or experiences. Even though it is a shorter J-term, students will still be able to have the same experience as they would with a 2-week term. For starters, a shorter J-Term is better because it provides a concentrated learning experience without overwhelming students and it avoids burnout before the 2nd week. 

With a longer J-Term, students are required to pay for two courses, which can add up quickly, especially for those larger families with multiple students. I know that last year I spent well over $200 in J-term fees, so I am relieved to know that I will be paying much less than that this year. By reducing the J-Term to just one week, we can still gain the benefits of the J-term experience while cutting down on the financial burden.

Another reason why the one-week J-term is better is because it keeps our momentum going. After a long winter break, it’s easy to get out of the routine of school, and sometimes that extended time off makes it harder to get back into the swing of things. Christmas break, paired with a one-week J-Term, gives us a smoother transition back into academics while still offering plenty of time to recharge. So, overall a one week J-term carries a lot more benefits than a two week term. 

2 Weeks – Julie Napier

J- Term also known as January Term is a period of time that is between the first and second semester of school right after we return from Christmas Break. J- Term allows students to get hands-on opportunities for their future. For students to get the most out of the experience it should be at least two weeks long.

When students return from Winter Break, this is a nice way to start the new semester. Students can have a little mental break and is a time where they can relax while being able to partake in something they enjoy or may find interesting. This period needs to be longer than just one week, if it’s more than one then it will actually feel like something different and not just no school.

Plus, with being able to go to other places you can’t do much in a week, but with two weeks you will have twice the amount of time to be able to do things you may want to do in the future. Two weeks would then allow you time to be able to accept internship opportunities. This will allow the students to have a temporary work environment with a day-to-day experience. It’s okay if you don’t have a career path in mind. J-Term is a great way to explore outside the classroom

Another reason J-Term should be two weeks is regarding the international trips that are available. If students are traveling to Europe or Africa the travel time alone is long so two weeks will help students have more time to experience the world. 

The Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences said that J-Terms “boosts real world experiences, career paths, builds professional networks, enhances skills, boosts resumes for the future, and increases job opportunities.”