One semester under our belts and it’s safe to say that is enough for many to form an opinion.

A Web poll conducted by The Northeastern News showed that more than half of students who responded said they “hate” semester conversion (56 percent).

So what do they hate? Five more weeks of classes? Shorter vacation? Dragging courses? Or, all of the above?

For the most part, the transition was smooth. It was almost like a Y2K bust, no major dilemmas for all the posturing over the years. And really, in the end, this will most likely be a positive change, putting NU on the same schedule as other schools.

However, some of the glitches caused more than slight inconveniences. Firstly, there was the accommodation to the five extra weeks of classes. Students accustomed to the shorter quarters felt worn out. Quarters had a “highlight reel” feel to them and forced teachers — and students — to stay to the point.

Worn-out students received little solace when it came to vacation time. Five more weeks of classes equaled the semester ending less than a week before Christmas. Instead of the near month off that other semester schools enjoy, students began their co-op rotations as early as Dec. 29, just 10 days after finals ended.

Another major problem is the lack of classes during the summer “mini-mesters.” For upperclassmen students, the selection is laughable, and selecting even two classes that “need” to be taken becomes very difficult. The university needs to entice more professors into teaching classes in the summer. If students have to be here, at least make it worth their while.

Professors need to make the semester adjustment as well. Instead of dragging out the material used in the quarter system, professors should instead look to new material, things they surely “have always wanted to cover.” Understandably, adding five extra weeks of material will take time to refine.

There are positive aspects of semester conversion as well, and certain changes students can look forward to in the future. Seniors especially must be drooling at the prospect of graduating earlier than any university in Boston.

It’s unlikely you will see any students crying at the demise of the winter quarter, either. Perennially voted the least favorite quarter, it was replaced with one singular spring semester, ending in May, and letting students feel, at least until Summer I starts, that we are “like a normal school.”

The university is adjusting, but it must keep in mind that students need to adjust as well. Extending classes and shortening vacations can only serve to damage the academic excellence of NU, something that can not suffer.