Two terms vs. three

At colleges there are normally either two or three semesters depending on which school you attend.  In my opinion each has its own benefits and downfalls.  Three terms with fewer classes in each might seem like a better idea for a number of reasons.  First, it allows students to focus on fewer classes.  If you only have to worry about two or three classes you can devote more time to the lessons and therefore understand the material better.  If you are taking five classes you are forced to juggle assignments and work on multiple papers at once which may become overwhelming.  However, Because the terms are shorter when there are three papers come at students faster.  As opposed to having one week to complete an assignment you might have a day.  While this might appeal to some students as it keeps them working others who prefer time to plan and consider assignments could easily become frustrated.  Readings are another area that we must look at.  In a two semester college readings at the beginning of the year are often forgotten.  This can result in critical information being lost during finals.  However, in a three semester college with less time readings can pile up for classes.  In one of my history classes I am expected to read form 20-40 pages for each class(Tuesdays and Thursdays).  This is a manageable amount but if the workload was doubled I doubt I would be able to remember everything that I read.  In defense of school with two semesters I have often heard professors complain that you could spend an entire four years of college studying their class and still not be done.  Three term schools attempt to compress the same amount of knowledge in a shorter amount of time.  This means more classes per week or longer classes.  I enjoy my classes but to be honest I don't want to spend even more time in one class.  There is only so much I can learn before I begin to lose patience and get distracted.  Diversity works for me while focusing in might work for others.  In the end I believe that students must decide which type of school suits them better.