The Academic Year

In the US, teaching terms are called semesters; there is the Fall (autumn) Semester and the Spring Semester. Harvard's academic year normally begins in late August for the First Years (those Freshmen!), with upperclassmen arriving a few days later. Click here to see the full academic calendar. Before the Christmas break, Harvard undergrads have a week's "Reading Period" (similar to Revision or Study Leave) just before their end of term exams. Traditionally the Spring Semester has a week's break in March, and ends in mid-May after exams.

"Shopping Week"
Because Harvard's Liberal Arts programme is extensive, it can often be challenging to select courses that match your interests, time commitments, and qualifications. At the beginning of each term Harvard offers its undergraduates the opportunity to sit in on any courses that they might want to take; some students "shop" at as many as 15 or 20 courses over the week, comparing notes and posting information on Facebook and blogs, as well as on student evaluation websites such as www.collegeprowler.com