With UConn’s 2022-23 Winter Session  registration now open, many students wonder what courses are like, how to manage the workload, as well as what’s in store throughout a 3-week session.

Jesse Lau, Senior Class of ‘23, tells us about his experience taking a winter course.

 

Jesse enrolled in ACCT 2001: Principles of Financial Accounting last winter.:

 

Q: “Jesse, why did you decide to take a winter course last year?”

 

A: “I took it because I wanted to get ahead and knew that it would be a great opportunity to advance my education in the long run. I was nervous about the workload condensed into a 3-week course. It seemed intimidating! However, from  the first day to the last, I found the course worth it.”

 

UConn offers winter courses via three formats, online (WW), distance learning (DL), and in-person (P). Jesse chose a distance learning course, meaning that the class met virtually at a designated time.

 

Q: “Jesse, what was the distance learning format like?”

 

A:“Any quizzes, homework, and lectures were online. My professor would even record and post lectures after class, on Blackboard, so students could rewatch the lesson. This made me feel like the professor cared about students learning in the course. I felt like my education was equally as important to them as it is to me.”

 

With the course being condensed, Jesse knew he needed a system to ensure he would be organized and ready to tackle the intensive winter course schedule.

 

Q: “Jesse, how did you handle the 3-week winter session’s workload?”

 

A: “At the start of the course I wrote down all my assignments that would be due to ensure I wouldn’t miss any. I would cross off the assignments as I did them and that helped me stay organized throughout the session.”

 

Q: “Jesse, would you recommend taking a winter session course at UConn?”

 

A: “Ultimately,I recommend taking winter session classes. I am now able to be more flexible when creating my schedule and felt like it kept me on track to graduate on time.”

 

Check out our course listing page to find winter courses that interest you!

Hard to believe it’s December, right? As we approach the beginning of the Winter Session, the Office of Summer and Winter Programs is here to remind you about some important information to keep in mind! The payment deadline of December 14 has passed, but there is still time to enroll!  Here is some important information to ensure you have your course paid for by the time it is due.

 

• Determining the cost of a Winter Session Course:

Curious about a course cost? Instead of enrolling in a course to determine your balance, students should review our Dates & Fees page to determine the cost of their Winter course. Students can also contact the Office of Summer and Winter Programs if they have a question about the cost of a specific course. Whether it’s through our live chat provided on our website or through email, we encourage you to reach out with any questions you may have.

 

• Late Fees:

If students do not pay their fee bill by the due date of December 14th, 2020 a late fee will be charged to their accounts. Individuals who enroll after this date will have 10 days from the date they do enroll to submit their payment and avoid the $150 late fee.

For example:

If I were to enroll in a Winter course on 12/22, then my new payment deadline will be 1/1/2021. 

 

• Online and DL course fees:

Only the courses with the “Instruction Mode” listed as Online will incur the additional $20 per credit Online Course Fee. 

 

• 2021 Winter Session Payment Methods:

Curious about how to pay your fee bill and what payment methods are accepted? Check out the complete list of payment options provided on the Office of the Bursar’s website. 

Important to note:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, payments sent via mail will be delayed. We highly encourage electronic options to be used instead during this time.

 

• Financial Aid:

Unfortunately, there is no financial aid available for the 2021 Winter Session. If there is a student struggling with their fee bill and paying it on time, we encourage them to contact the Office of the Bursar (bursar@uconn.edu) or the Office of Financial Aid (financialaid@uconn.edu) as soon as possible to see if either Office can assist.

 

We know that getting a bill can be stressful. With these important deadlines approaching, the Office of Summer and Winter Programs wants you to know that we are here to make this process as easy as possible!

 

Tips and Tricks for staying afloat during virtual semesters

Life as a college student can be stressful enough, never mind throwing a global pandemic in the mix. But The Office of Summer and Winter Programs is here to remind you that there are ways to manage and navigate these uncertain times to ensure that you are still staying on track during the semester!

Like most of the other college students I know, it sometimes feels like our brains are going a thousand miles a minute with no way to stop. So how do we learn to slow them down and take the time for ourselves (while maintaining our course work)? Here’s a few tips for keeping yourself organized during this Winter Session and future virtual semesters, while allowing some time to practice self-care.

• Develop a routine

Schedule consistent coursework time! Writing down all the deadlines on the first day of class can help you stay on track, manage your time and get the most out of your virtual experience. Consider establishing a set amount of time to work on assignments for each class to help ensure you maintain a routine and excel like we know you can! See the chart below for the number of hours, per week, a student can expect to spend on their online coursework.

• Create a study space to complete classwork

Dedicate a space for your studies! Finding a location with limited distractions and then turning it into a place for you to study can help turn your focus towards your coursework and assignments.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Ask your peers and instructors questions! Your professors are there to help so don’t shy away from asking questions in class or out. The University of Connecticut also has TONS of different departments that offer support to students with tricky questions and topics. 

Academic Support

UCONN Writing Center Online Tutoring

UCONN Quantitative Learning Center

• Practice self-care

Checking in with yourself and including breaks throughout your week is also an important part of maintaining your courses. Take a five-minute break, make a UConn Health suggested healthy snack or even taking a walk can help you return to your work refreshed and ready to conquer your assignments. 

Remember that practicing self-care is about finding things that work for you! Whether it’s journaling, streaming one of UConn Recreations live virtual classes, or taking a walk, simple practices can help you recenter and take it one day at a time.

 

So you decided to enroll in a Winter Session course! You’re looking through the online course list, excited to pick your class when you see two phrases: online and distance learning. So what’s the difference? Does it affect the cost? Do you have to attend lectures online or be available for a particular time during the three weeks?

We understand how many questions you might have and how confusing this can all be. The Office of Summer and Winter Programs wants you to be the most-prepared when choosing a course and is now leading efforts in order to clarify the definitions for the terms “online” and “distance learning” when it comes to UConn’s Winter Session. 

Course Modalities for Winter 2021

Online (WW) - These classes never meet in person, and you are not expected to be available at any specific time or day for classroom instruction from your professor. These courses are taught asynchronously with no pre-assigned meeting times. Students will have access to class materials online using HuskyCT as well as being able to contact their instructor and (or) teaching assistant(s) at any point during the course.

Distance Learning (DL) – Distance Learning classes also do not require in person attendance, but you are expected to be available for instruction synchronously at the times for which the class is scheduled on Student Admin. You will need to participate online using WebEx, Blackboard Collaborate, or Microsoft Teams. 

Do Online and DL courses have the same cost? 

In regards to the cost between these two modes of learning for the Winter Session, the only difference is that courses listed as “Online” will incur the $20.00 per credit Online Course Fee, while courses listed as “Distance Learning” will not incur the Online Course Fee. 

We hope that this has helped you differentiate the meaning behind what an online versus distance learning class entails. We understand it’s tricky to figure this out and want to bring you as much clarity and transparency as possible. If you have any more questions about these modalities or are in need of more information please feel free to contact the Office of Summer and Winter Programs at summerwinter@uconn.edu.

Registering for courses as a non-degree/visiting student, is a simple two-step process designed to make our visiting students’ journey a whole lot easier. For more information about the Non-Degree application and registration process, visit UConn’s Visiting Students page.

If you are a visiting student coming from another University to take a course at UConn, let us be the first to welcome you! As you join the Husky family, here’s a few key ideas to keep in mind. 

As a visiting/non-degree student registering for a UConn course with prerequisites, you will be required to obtain a permission number in order to do so. Reaching out to your professor in order to receive the correct enrollment information is always the best way for you to receive course access.

Instructors may be able to provide you with a permission number to register for courses however, you will not be able to register for a specific class if any of the following is true:

• The class is full. Lab courses can not be overenrolled due to safety concerns.
• The remaining seats in the class are reserved.
• You do not meet the prerequisites. Although you may have taken coursework elsewhere, if your UConn transcript does not demonstrate successful completion of course prerequisites, you will need permission to register. Your instructor may require proof of prerequisite completion.
• The class is a graduate-level course.

This can be frustrating, we know. That’s why we want to help. 

In order to reach your instructor you may contact them via their UConn email address to request a permission number. If they don’t get back to you in a day or two, please reach back out to us! We will help to facilitate the conversation. 

If the instructor does provide you with a permission number, you must resubmit your enrollment request (including that permission number.) The easiest way to include the permission number is to click on the class when it is in your shopping cart. A pop-up window will appear in which you can enter the number before continuing.

In order to confirm the transferability of UConn course credits, we ask that you please be sure to check with your academic advisor at your home campus. This will help to alleviate any bumps along the road and make for an easier transfer process. 

If you are a current student of the University seeking to enroll and earn some credit during the Winter break, look no further! Find online courses and programs that fit your schedule taught by UConn faculty. In just three weeks you gain what you need to stay on track to graduation, reduce your semester course load or all of the above. Register today at the UConn Winter Session website.

So what are you waiting for? Take the next step of your career, get ahead and fulfill those requirements by taking one (or a few) of the hundreds of courses offered. Whichever class you choose, the Office of Winter and Summer Programs is here to help you on your journey. 

An updated course list is coming soon, so check back to see available seats and to find courses that fit your needs!

Though this school year may look a little different, UConn’s Office of Summer and Winter Programs wanted to create a new way for students to receive up-to-date information and resources when it comes to fulfilling your requirements.  

As more Universities and schools are being impacted by the global pandemic, students need more support now more than ever before. Designed to provide ways for students to receive the support they need while answering commonly asked questions and inquiries, we are excited to announce the launch of the Winter and Summer Program Blog. 

We hope that our new blog series will address topics such as enrollment, deadlines, important dates, fees and costs will work to prepare students for a successful UConn Winter and Summer Program learning experience.

Winter Session registration will begin October 26, 2020. Winter 2021 course offerings are not finalized yet, but we are adding courses to the Student Administration System daily. Please continue to check back as we continue to finalize our offerings.