I’m curious what most students do over the three weeks of january term. My son is a freshman and doesn’t seem to know what most students will be doing. He could come home (Florida) and take an online class. If he stays, it seems like he would not be able to remain in his dorm for the winter term since only a select few dorms remain open.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Most students do go home over the winter break…some will go home for the holidays and return at beginning of January to do a 3 week class during winter term (NOT necessary, by any stretch of the imagination), some will do “alternative break” trips, some will work, but many will chill at home and vegetate.
So, as for winter term classes, the advantage of doing them is you have only one class to focus on for 3 weeks. Students will often take a particularly difficult class during that time so that they have a better chance to do well in it. It is extra money that is not included in tuition.
As for alternative breaks, I should mention there are also winter term study abroad programs. Both of these require registration early in September though, so if your son has not signed up by now, he would be hard pressed to do one of these programs for this winter. If “alternative break” trips sound interesting to him, he should look into spring break options now. http://thestamp.umd.edu/leadership_community_service-learning/programs/alternative_breaks
If he’s interested in study abroad, he should look into that now. If he doesn’t want a semester abroad but is still interested in travel, he should look into the short-term/winter term study abroad options https://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/education-abroad/maryland-short-term
Hope this helps…
Usually my (senior) daughter comes home and relaxes. Like maryuniversity said, that is the most common occurrence. This winter she decided to take an online course.