We stay in session later than everyone else and we have a faster paced environment than most colleges in the area. De Anza College is known to be ranked as one of the highest for having successful transfers. Students from De Anza transfer to universities such as Stanford, the University of Santa Clara, San Jose State University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and many other institutions.This must mean more than just a lot of students come to De Anza. The quarter system is probably what brings them back. Quarters are faster than semesters, and they work well. They offer an ever-changing environment, so students can experience meeting a larger variety of classmates and instructors. “Semester systems are like high school and you have time to procrastinate. In a quarter, you have to stay on top of your game and make sure you don’t fall behind,” says Redentor Evangelista, 20, a nursing major. In the quarter system, classes are more in depth during a shorter time period and are high energy, so students don’t lose interest.Semester classes have longer time commitments. Students must commit to five months, with a requirement to continue with the class if something important, such as an emergency, comes up. But, since quarters last three months, students don’t have to worry as much if something comes up. The classes will be over soon, and they can take the next three months off if they need to tend to other important issues, as opposed to five months.Typical class loads for students would be around 5 in a semester, meaning 10 in a school year. Taking 4 courses per quarter in a year will give you 12 courses. So, in that year, a quarter student had more variety in a class, with more in depth focus on the subject matter.A quarter system may feel like it’s worse than a semester system when it ends so much later, but there’s a hidden blessing. Semester schools are out nearly the same time in late May and early June, so those students pack into every possible venue to take a break from school. When we are out for the summer, the rush has died down a bit and it is easier to get into fun places.When students at other colleges start in August, De Anza students can have time to enjoy less crowed leisure spots until late September. “I like our quarter system, because while we do get out later than everyone else, we do start later in the fall, meaning a synchronization with the better Pacific Ocean weather and our vacation; perfect for surfers,” said Christian Guiang, 20, a business economics major.