A year is divided into two semesters.
A semester is a period of six months . In order to know precisely the meaning of the term, it is necessary to determine its etymological origin.
In this sense, we can say that it derives from the Latin semestris , which can be translated as “six months” and that it is the result of the sum of several clearly identified components:
- The word sex , which is synonymous with “six” .
- The noun mensis , equivalent to “months” .
- The suffix -estre , used to indicate “own of”.
For example: “I think we will finally move in the next semester,” “In the first half of the year, the company's sales grew by 45% compared to the same period in 2013,” “The Argentine striker will not be able to play at all.” the semester due to his fracture in his right leg.”
Use of the notion of semester
The idea of a semester is frequently used since, in many contexts, the year is usually divided into two halves . As years have twelve months , it is possible to divide it into two semesters (that is, into two sets of six months each ).
In this way, when talking about the first semester , reference is usually made to the period between January and June inclusive . The second semester , on the other hand, extends between July and December .
In this way, we find the fact that the first semester would have a total of 181 days, which would rise to 182 in leap years, and 184 days in the second semester.
It is common for students to take exams at the end of each semester.
Importance in the academic field
Within the academic field it is common to talk about semesters. Specifically, it is used within the university sector to refer to the two parts into which the course is divided.
Thus, there is a first semester and a second semester. After each one, students have to take the exams for the subjects they have taken in those respective periods.
Semesters and statistics
The division of the year into semesters allows data and statistics to be compared and different kinds of balances to be made. It is common for a company to prepare semiannual financial reports and then compare them to understand the evolution of the business . If a company calculates its income every semester, it can then know if its activity increased or suffered a depression.
Let's look at an example:
– Income of a company X
1st semester of 2013: 500,000 pesos
2nd semester of 2013: 450,000 pesos
1st semester of 2014: 300,000 pesos
When analyzing the data, managers can discover that, in the first half of 2014 , they suffered a drop of 150,000 pesos compared to the previous semester and of 200,000 pesos compared to the same period of the previous year.
Synonym of pension or pay
It must be stated that. At the level of assets and income, in some places the idea of semester is used as a synonym for a pension or payment that is received every six months.
A meaning that later leads to the existence of the expression “collect the semester” , which is used to refer to the fact that a person will receive the payment of that pension that is delivered every six months.