From my experience there will always be some activity in the secondary. I am still a beginner, BUT, I have realized the importance of time with beer. I already dont like to "depend" on a hydrometer, although I still use it. Here's what I do:
When my "bubbling" gets to about 1 per minute or more I rack to secondary. WThere is always some post fermentation that happens. FOR ME it seems like 1.5 weeks in primary without a starter (3 days to start normal activity and a week of fermenting, but I only do beers above 6%, more like 7-8) then I usually do 2 weeks in the secondary and i'm QUICKLY finding 3-4 weeks kegged makes GREAT beer. Just my 2c from a begginner myself! BTW, if you are adding it up, that makes 7 weeks before I tap it! Hence I just odered 4 more cornies to make 6!