Two years at the School of Mathematics
The programme lasts almost two years, during which students live at Päivölä on Päivölä Hill. Studies begin soon after Midsummer, in week 27 (early July), with the summer term: three one-week periods in weeks 27, 29 and 31, with a week at home between each. The summer is mainly mathematics and computing. The summer term is also offered as a separate course for anyone interested.
The autumn term starts in week 33 (mid-August). During the autumn and spring terms, students are usually at school every other weekend, so they go home every other weekend (Friday 12:00 to Monday 12:00). The Christmas holiday is three weeks, ending around Epiphany (6 January), and the Easter holiday is one week. The second year ends with the graduation ceremony. After the first year, school ends in early June and starts again in early August, as in other Finnish schools; students can catch up on studies over the summer. Studies can also be spread over three years if a student prefers.
As a rule, first-year students share double rooms and second-year students have single rooms. The rooms have wired internet, and there is Wi-Fi throughout the building.
The study week
Studies mostly run in two-week cycles, with every other weekend free. School weekends often include special courses that are also open to outside participants. Students leave for their free weekend around midday on Friday and return by 12:00 on Monday.
The study day
A normal day is divided into these teaching sessions:
morning (9:00–11:15)
afternoon 1 (12:15 – approx. 14:30)
afternoon 2 (approx. 15:00–17:15)
evening (approx. 18:45–21:00)
School of Mathematics students at the Independence Day ball.
Free time
Despite the intense pace, there is a surprising amount of free time, since no time is spent commuting and friends are close by. Games and hobbies of all kinds, in big groups and small, flourish. What’s on offer depends on the students: people do whatever interests them at the time. There have always been plenty of musical students, and you can hear it in their free time. Two pianos and a grand piano are available for pianists to practise on.
Päivölä has a small gym and a swimming pool next to the sauna. At the Tarttila sports field students play football and ultimate, and ice games in winter. The surrounding countryside is good for rowing and running, and a team takes part in the Finlandia-hiihto ski marathon every year.
Read more about student life on the School of Mathematics blog!