For five weeks between fall and spring semesters, the University of Delaware offers Winter Session, an optional term providing special opportunities and a change of pace from the usual routine.

The concentrated format of Winter Session provides a number of benefits toward advancing student success. Students can use the time to get ahead on their course load and lighten their spring semester, or they can catch up on their academic requirements. They can tackle a challenging subject or explore interests that they may not be able to fit into the regular semester. Winter Session also offers an opportune time for students to build their resume through experiential learning such as an internship or study abroad.

Registration is now open, and classes fill up quickly, so students are encouraged to begin exploring the options.

Julia Bosso, a sophomore communications interest major, said, “Last Winter Session, I took Spanish 106. It really benefited me to take that class over the winter because Spanish was not my strong suit. Focusing every day on just one subject allowed me to really get an understanding for it without having to stress about other classes. Also, especially for a language class, it was helpful to have so much time exposed to just that language.”

Winter Session also provides financial benefits — a special tuition cap allows all undergraduate students to take up to seven credits at the cost of 4.5 credits. 

Approximately 500 undergraduate and 50 graduate courses are available during the day or evening on a wide variety of topics, including advanced data analysis, health and the media, the science and business of ice cream, introduction to marketing, Minecraft in education, elementary human physiology, studies in popular fiction: creating horror, and many others.

In addition to the traditional five-week term, there are about 50 classes that meet on a four-week schedule, allowing students to extend their winter holiday before starting classes. The five-week term begins Jan. 3, while the four-week classes start Jan. 9. There are also online classes that can be taken anywhere a student may be.

Registration is open through Jan. 6 for five-week classes and Jan. 12 for four-week courses. Anyone may participate in Winter Session — admission to a UD degree program is not required.

Shailja Gangrade, a sophomore double majoring in marine science and environmental engineering, took Physics 207 last winter, a class with a lab section. “Living on campus and taking the class really allowed me to fully dedicate my time to doing well in physics, which is a pre-requisite for many courses in both my majors,” said Shailja. “Winter Session was a perfect opportunity to not only advance in my curricula but actually make double majoring easier. It was enjoyable as an immersive experience that I was able to balance with an on-campus job, as well.”

Special events

The Division of Student Life will offer campus-wide events throughout Winter Session to provide all students with opportunities to meet people different from themselves, explore new areas of the campus and local communities, engage in self-reflection and have fun. Major events include these Unidel-funded programs:

• Study At Home, a series of events created to help introduce students to parts of the University that they might not otherwise know about, discover local points of interest, and explore the nearby cities that offer great insight into the history and development of our region.

• Hot Chocolate Festival, an event emulating the grand festival hosted annually by the City Bakery in New York. The centerpiece of the program will be the vast array of gourmet hot chocolates on offer: malted milk, peanut butter, chili pepper, hazelnut, chestnut, cinnamon, coffee, caramel, ginger, clove, citrus, strawberry, raspberry and more. For the truly ambitious chocolatiers on campus, there will also be a custom chocolate creation station equipped with all of the flavors and spices available on the rest of the menu.

• Dive In: DIVErsity Institute, a series of events designed to introduce students to various aspects of diversity and social identity through expert presentations, dialogue and reflection through art.

• Serving Better Together, a program that will bring together students from across all backgrounds to engage in meaningful conversation and relationship building through service, with a particular service emphasis on housing insecurity and homelessness in Newark and the surrounding area. 

Living on campus

There is no Winter Session housing fee for students who occupied traditional residence halls and suites during the fall semester or will occupy a room during the spring semester.

The only students who will be charged any housing fee are those who live in the residence halls during Winter Session only and those who live in graduate or family housing (Conover or Graduate House).

Students living on campus (other than on-campus apartments) must register for at least one Winter Session course or be approved to participate in a University project or activity in order to occupy the assigned space during Winter Session.

Additional information is available on the Residence Life and Housing website. 

Dining options

All students living in traditional residence halls or suites during Winter Session must enroll in a full meal plan, which provides dining options at multiple residential and retail venues across campus. Winter meal plans contain a designated number of all-you-care-to-eat meals and/or points, with any remaining points carrying over to the spring semester. 

Students living in off-campus housing or the Christiana Towers who are looking for a convenient solution to supplement their dining needs may voluntarily choose from any of the resident or optional meal plans being offered. 

Pencader and Kent dining halls will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the week, and for brunch and dinner on the weekends. Retail dining locations will have adjusted Winter Session schedules.

A complete listing of Winter Session hours along with additional information related to the Winter Session meal plan will be available on the UD Dining website. Students may call 302-831-6761 or email Dining Services with questions.

For more information

For additional information, visit the Winter Session website or see this special F.A.Q.