Need to catch up on credits? Maybe get ahead to graduate a little early? Want to knock out a challenging course quickly? Study abroad? Add a minor or a concentration? Or just learn something cool for the fun of it?

The answer to all of those questions: Winter Session.

The five-week term from Jan. 3 to Feb. 2, 2024, provides students with the opportunity to enhance their academic experience at the University of Delaware. More than 570 undergraduate and graduate courses are available in-person, online or hybrid format for Winter Session this year, as well as study-abroad programs. Registration begins Oct. 23.

“UD is fortunate to have a fairly long winter break, which allows students to take one or more entire courses between the fall and spring semesters,” said Provost Laura Carlson. “It provides so much flexibility for students to create an academic plan that meets their individual needs.”

Winter Session courses often feature smaller class sizes and more time to network with professors, said George Irvine, associate vice provost for online learning and innovation.

“Students enjoy being able to concentrate on just one or two courses during Winter Session, which is a nice break from juggling five or six classes during a regular semester,” Irvine said. “If an undergraduate student can take a class in each Winter and Summer session, they can graduate in just three and a half years instead of four.”

Also, more study-abroad programs are available now than in the past few years because the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, he said.

The colleges and the faculty have worked to offer more special-session courses and more modalities (in person, online and hybrid) to serve students’ needs, Irvine said. Nearly all of the high-demand courses that students want in Winter Session will be offered this year, so students do not need to take a course elsewhere and transfer it to UD. There are also Winter Session courses in the Associate in Arts Program in Wilmington.

Winter Session courses are open to full- and part-time UD students, as well as those from other colleges. Additionally, on-campus housing is available to UD students who meet specific criteria.

There are plenty of activities and programs for students on and off campus during Winter Session, such as watching Blue Hens men’s and women’s basketball and skating at the UD Ice Arena. Winter can be a good time for students to meet with UD Career Center consultants to explore internships and other opportunities.

UD also offers a robust Summer Session, which is either a 10-week term or two five-week terms. Registration for Summer Session opens April 1, 2024, and classes begin June 3, 2024.