Dearest blog readers, in today’s post I am going to attempt to explain the differences between classes at Lund University vs. Northeastern University. Having already completed 4 weeks of class, I now have a pretty good idea of the structure and expectations that are in place.
A big difference that stands out between my class schedule here is that each semester at Lund is split up into 2 periods (September-October, and November-December). During Period 1, you take 2 classes and then have exams at the end of October. In the first week of November you start 2 new classes. I like this system a lot because it minimizes juggling between classes and homework, and decreases the possibility of big assignments from different classes aligning and ganging up on you. It also provides more opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the current classes you are taking, with less distractions.
An overall generalization is that classes and coursework here in Sweden are more relaxed than in the US. While it is frowned upon to miss class or be tardy (Swedes are very punctual), students are expected to address professors by their first name, and the largest class sizes at a university with 40,000 students have only 40-50 students in them. It is therefore easy to ask questions and have productive discussions in class.
The assignments that come with different classes can vary a lot, but I believe that there is less emphasis on homework and problem sets (for engineers) than at Northeastern University. Instead of handing in homework every class or once a week, my professors have assigned larger projects to be completed throughout the semester. Students are expected to study and review the material outside of class, but this can be done in a more straightforward way without the stress of completing homework on a regular basis.
Lund University is perhaps the “best and brightest” school in Sweden, but there is little peer pressure or institutional pressure that places unrealistic expectations on a student’s performance. Classes are either pass/fail or they are graded on a scale of 1-6. Most of your grade in a class comes from the final exam, with 1 or 2 projects accounted for as well. I think that by subduing the academic pressure of university students have more freedom to pursue social activities and other experiences that provide learning in other forms, which are just as important to shaping the adult mind.
Oh and one more quirky thing about classes in Sweden: the academic quarter! When classes are scheduled to start at the beginning of an hour, they actually start 15 minutes later than the scheduled time. This tradition in Lund dates back to when students mostly lived at home, and upon hearing the clock tower bells ring at the top of the hour they would start their walk to classes from home.
