In many American universities the total work for a degree consists of thirty-six courses, each lasting for one semester. A typical course consists of three classes per week for fifteen weeks. While attending a university a student will probably attend four or five courses during each semester. Normally a student would expect to take four years attending two semesters each year. It is possible for a student to move between one university and another during his degree course, though this is not in fact done as regular practice.
For every course that he follows, a student is given a grade, which is recorded, and the record is available for the student to show to future employer. All this imposes a constant pressure and strain of work, but in spite of this some students still find time for great activity in student affairs. Elections to positions in student organizations arouse much enthusiasm. A student who has held one of these positions is much respected and it will be of benefit to him later in his career. The effective work of maintaining discipline is usually performed by students who advise the academic authorities. Any student who is thought to have broken the rules, for example, by cheating has to appear before a student court. Normally a student would at least attend ______ classes each week.