We Can't Even Be Truthful About Time. One semester literally means a half-year term in a school or college, typically lasting 15-18 weeks. We also utilize the term quarterly, quarter, and such, to refer to other time division based on a year. A year could only be divided into 3 quarters, not semesters. Has our educational business realm sinked that low when this signage for a school on Jl. Jakarta, Bandung (30/01) were employing downright lie, or is it simple plain ignorance in their behalf, in their marketing strategy? Muhammad Ali Firmansyah | May 2011