The Art Institute divides the year into four quarters - Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Each quarter has two terms of 5-1/2 weeks with no break in between. There is a two week break after each quarter.
The Fall 2007 quarter was my first full quarter at AIO (I started at Summer II). I remember feeling so much less energetic at the start of the second term, although I didn't really think about why. Now, as I face the last day of Winter I, I understand the problem: context switching. It's whiplash going from full-speed-ahead (which is where every class is by the end) to starting over with a new subject, a new instructor, and new classmates. How am I supposed to start thinking about Typography when my head is still in Information Design?
I did decide on one ritual. Last term I sent a thank-you email to all of my classmates, and a separate one to my instructors. I realize this probably makes me a dork of some kind; I expect there are a lot of rolling eyes on the receiving end. But I did it for two reasons: one, I want to be the sort of person who says thank you; and two, it's a separation. There's no good place in the classroom discussions to say "Thanks and good luck" to the people you've just been through the wringer with. As for the instructors...some I have liked better than others; but I've also seen some of what they've had to deal with. They might not be interested, but I figure a sincere thanks never goes awry.
I miss the two week break. Sometimes it feels too long, like I'm losing momentum; but I feel so energetic and organized at the start of a quarter. Now I feel a bit like I do going to work on mornings after Em has been up half the night: I know I can do it, but I worry that most of it will be on auto-pilot. Of course, last term I got engaged in the subjects, and it all worked out; but I sure wouldn't say "no" to a vacation right now.
Tomorrow I start Introduction to Audio and Design and Typography. The typography class actually involves producing graphics, so I may finally have projects to post again. I may even post some of my audio projects, if they are interesting.
Tonight, though...I think I'll take a break.