Division of Student Life | University of Delaware | We're here to help you thrive in your #LifeAtUD.

Winter session at the University of Delaware is a great chance to focus on core requirements, take unique course offerings, and participate in programs you won’t find anytime or anywhere else.

4- and 5-week courses

Free housing

for students Living at UD in spring 2019

online course options

25% discount

on tuition when you take 6 credits

Plan Your Special Session

When campus cools down, #UDWinter heats up

Winter Session is a five-week period between fall and spring semesters that provides special opportunities on campus and a change of pace from the usual routine. Research shows students with 30 credit hours by the end of their first year have a significantly higher chance of graduating in four years, making Winter Session particularly relevant for first-year students.

Whether you’re looking to expedite your degree path, lighten your spring semester load, catch up on academic requirements or just enjoy every moment on campus that you can, #UDWinter has a little something special for everyone.

Explore winter 2019 programming

Get Details on All Events

Crucial Conversations

Reflect on current events and engage with different perspectives, in conversations moderated by upperclass Blue Hen Leadership Program participants. Crucial Conversations will be held in the Student Leadership Center, Trabant 157A.

Dates and topics for this weekly series will be available soon.

Dive In Diversity Institute

Immerse yourself in various aspects of social identity through presentations, dialogue, and reflection with notions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Topics include race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and ability status.

Workshops will be held Thursday evenings beginning January 10 and more details will be available soon. Contact Lillie Wilson (ldwilson) with any questions.

Hot Chocolate Festival

Meet friends old and new at the University Student Centers for a variety of hot chocolates, treats and other activities at the annual Hot Chocolate Festival, to be held Thursday, January 31 from 12-2 p.m. in Perkins Student Center!

Spring Into Success

Are you in your first year at UD? Don’t miss the free Spring Into Success conference, filled with inspiration and resources that can help you achieve your personal, educational, and professional goals.

This year’s conference will be held February 8-10 and registration will open soon. Contact Tierra Fields (tierraf) with any questions.

Study At Home

Connect with your campus community, discover local points of interest, and explore the nearby cities that offer great insight into the history and development of our region. Like a study abroad program, Study At Home is designed to help students engage with cultures and people different from themselves, and create hands-on learning experiences within communities with which they may be unfamiliar.

Dates and activities will be available soon.

Winter Session Quizzo

Enjoy snacks and prizes at Quizzo #TriviaTuesdays, held at 7 p.m. in Perkins Student Center. Individuals and teams are both welcome!

January 8 in West Lounge: UD History with Residence Life and Housing
January 15 in West Lounge: Murder with University Student Centers
January 22 in East Lounge: Marvel Cinematic Universe with Office of Student Conduct
January 29 in East Lounge: Famous Figures that are Greek with Fraternity and Sorority Leadership and Learning

Taurence Chisholm ’19 says…

If you are a transfer, too, do not be afraid to go all in. Go to Activities Night, pick two or three groups that interest you, and go to their meetings. Your two or three groups may change as you learn more about what you like but it’s important to engage. At the same time, don’t be afraid to say yes or no. You won’t always know for sure when it’s the right time to say yes or no, but you need to learn to self-reflect, and cordially and amicably say no to opportunities that are not right for you.

Learn more from Taurence in this Student Life Spotlight:
A Blue Hen rejoins the flock: Taurence Chisholm reflects on his UD family and ‘amazing’ transfer experience

This 2018 SHS student says…

[Nutritionist] Mariam Basma has helped me so much physically and mentally. She is just a gem and is such an asset to Student Health Services. We are so lucky to have her- she really has changed and helped me in so many ways that I am forever grateful. She is so relatable and honest and makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. She really is amazing and I am so sad to be graduating and not be able to see her weekly anymore. She saved me.

Nikki Dombrowski ’18 says…

UDance co-executive director | Twilight Induction 2016 speaker

I found my time doing extracurricular activities at UD to be equally as important, impactful and beneficial as my coursework. They taught me lessons that one can simply not learn in the classroom. These experiences, coupled with the incredible opportunities I have had to interact with faculty and staff at UD, inspired me to take my passion for this cause into my studies.

Learn more about Nikki in this UDaily article:
Human Services senior leaves behind a legacy of service: Nikki Dombrowski helps others through leadership, education, research and community service

Andrew Garcia ’20 says…

We’re First president

Don’t be afraid. Don’t let your gut tell you you’re not going to be capable of what you want to do. If you need guidance, look up some YouTube videos on how to be a leader or how to gain the basic foundation that you need, and then try to grow a sense of comfortability into what you’re doing. When I got an email from We’re First about open elections for the next executive board, I had never led anything before and just decided to go for it. You won’t grow as a leader if you don’t take risks.

Learn more from Andrew in this Student Life Spotlight:
First-generation student finds place at UD and abroad: Andrew Garcia urges new students to explore resources at UD

Laura Donohue ’18 says…

Outing Club president

Do not get involved in clubs that you are only somewhat passionate about. Go after those clubs that introduce you to the coolest people, and enable you to work with things that get you excited for every new day at UD! I loved my experience at UD because I got to spend every day doing something that I loved. If you follow your passions, they will take you places you never knew you could be, but that are exactly where you should be.

This 2018 SHS student says…

The caregiver I saw was exceptional … I came to Student Health Services after hours because I had an embarrassing condition I was hoping I could get looked at when no other students were around. She treated my case with discretion and made me feel a lot better about it. She was really thorough and made sure all of my questions were answered. She also made sure that all of my medical information was up to date and when she looked at my prescriptions she saw that a rescue inhaler I use every day was actually expired by 2 years. She told me how I would be able to get new inhalers at an affordable price. And my asthma treatment was completely unrelated to the reason I came in. I could not have received better care.

Daniel Farmer ’17 says…

Resident Assistant | Outing Club member

Experience all that you can, and you will find the puzzle eventually puts itself together. The number of paths you can take is infinite. Sometimes that feels overwhelming. When I entered UD, I had no idea what could possibly lie on the other side, but I knew I had to ensure it was something worthwhile. My strategy was to try my hand at as many things as possible, do my best to say yes, never be afraid to submit an application, and pursue the things that made me happiest.

Learn more from Daniel in this Student Life Spotlight:
Unpacking the Toolbox: Alumnus Daniel Farmer details how UD prepared him for Peace Corps success

Brittany O’Connell ’18 says…

PRSSA Program Director

Believe in yourself and try to learn something new from each person you meet. You’ll walk away with a wealth of knowledge and perspective.

Learn more from Brittany in this Student Life Spotlight:
Basking in the Blue Hen Glow: Senior Brittany O’Connell accepts national appointment with public relations association

Maria Barriga ’17 says…

SCPAB president

Growing as a leader and as a person go hand-in-hand. I could never have imagined being a leader, and I really like this person that I have grown into, someone who is happy and excited about stuff, who engages with others to learn about their feelings and interests. Explore more, and surround yourself with people who will inspire you to believe in yourself.

Learn more from Maria in this Student Life Spotlight:
With love from Ecuador: SCPAB’s first international student president, Maria Barriga, prepares to pass the torch

Mark White ’17 says…

Phi Beta Sigma brother | NSBE executive board member

You have got to do what you would love to do with your life. Far too often, we get caught up in trying to fulfill what others think we should do, but you’ve got to focus on a path — and you have to build your network.

Learn more from Mark in this Student Life Spotlight:
Focused lines: Senior environmental engineering, political science major Mark White reflects on paths to success

Jillian Solomon ’19 says…

Each One Reach One Mentor | Alpha Phi Alpha’s Miss Black and Gold 2016

Step outside of your comfort zone and engage with difference. Enroll in a class, introduce yourself to someone who doesn’t look like you, or just pick literally any event and go have fun. No one is going to laugh at you or reject you, and you might learn more about yourself or others in the process. An inch of experience sitting around eating pizza could go a long way for you in the future.

Learn more from Jillian in this Student Life Spotlight:
Embracing discomfort: Miss Black and Gold 2016 Jillian Solomon on the value of a UD experience

Nicole Mozee ’13 says…

Multicultural Greek Congress vice president | member of Cultural Programming Advisory Board, Campus Alliance de La Raza and Black Student Union | Chi Upsilon Sigma sister

My advice to current students is to take advantage of all opportunities that surround you at this vital point in your life because these experiences help you grow as an individual. Pay it forward, and remember there is always more to do, more to learn and more to achieve.

Learn more from Nicole in this Student Life Spotlight:
Wisdom through education: MGC’s first vice president Nicole Mozee continues to give back

Rebecca Jaeger ’16 says…

SGA president | NSO orientation leader

My experiences within the Division of Student Life taught me invaluable lessons that greatly enhanced what I learned inside the classroom at UD. Through my involvement in StUDent Government Association and New Student Orientation, I learned how to communicate effectively with others, advocate for change in areas that I am passionate about, and work with people from diverse backgrounds. Thanks to these experiences, I have become a more organized, inspired and assertive leader who is eagerly taking on the challenges of the real world.

Learn more from Rebecca in this Student Life Spotlight:
Life lessons go global: Former SGA president Rebecca Jaeger reports back on life after UD

Stephen Ochoa ’18 says…

NSO orientation leader

The New Student Orientation Leader process is one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Being surrounded by peers and administrators that truly care about you and the needs of all students on campus, really opened my eyes to the many great opportunities this institution has to offer for all students. My favorite part of being an Orientation Leader was building bonds with not only new students but my NSO family. These bonds and relationships are ones that no distance or time apart can break; I regard all of my fellow OLs as family and always will.

Philip Botta ’15 says…

RSA president | Hall Director

Living and working in the residence halls taught me about being a part of a community and learning how to interact with those that are different than me. Staying on campus can help you develop skills such as conflict mediation, communication and leadership. It is also a time where you are constantly connected to resources whether it be your Resident Assistant, visuals on your floor or other opportunities that come into the halls.

Recent Developments

José-Luis Riera named vice president for Student Life

New strategic direction for student engagement

Welcoming 20 staff to new professional roles

Registration opens for winter session 2019

Read our Quarterly Newsletter

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Your support of the Parents Fund

helps us contribute and facilitate critical learning and development within healthy, inclusive and supportive communities so that all students may thrive at UD and beyond. Initiatives within our University Student Centers' Blue Hen Leadership Program, Career Services Center, extended orientation and late night programming have been supported through this fund.

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