hello Elon parents/students,
My son is a freshman at Elon, and while I see some info on website and literature , I was wondering how that January term actually works? As a freshman, he didn’t apply to any of those off campus programs ( applications were in spring ?) , so I wanted to know what it is like on campus during that month? Is it basically one class every day and that’s it? Sounds like LOTS of down time, which would be terrific in our home state ( FL) , lol, but in that weather he may hibernate as it cold to him already ! 
Anyway, sounds like an odd month and a lot of free time? But classes probably Mon-Fri so not conducive to going home for long weekends?
Any insight appreciated !
The classes are either from 9-12 or 1-4 every day. They are pretty intense because they are still 4 credit classes crammed into only 3 weeks and there is a lot of homework and studying. My daughter found that she kept really busy but that it was a break from the frustration of juggling 4 classes. The classes tend to have more off campus activities etc. because they don’t have to worry about conflicts with other classes. She really enjoys being on campus during that time. The vast majority of freshmen are on campus so it’s a great way to make friends and connect with different people. Our daughter used it as a time to try out some other organizations. He’ll have an opportunity to come home the week after J-term (called “fake break”). That’s the week of sorority rush and my daughter says that most guys either go home or take a road trip with friends. Cold in NC is not that bad, Just make sure he has the right clothes. (My daughter thinks it’s wonderful there in the winter, but she’s from the Midwest.)
oh- that’s really helpful bc I thought it was just one credit class for an hour a day. Are there “real” classes available (as in they go towards their major), or are there mostly classes that fill the elective requirements?
There are definitely real classes offered, as well as some fun elective choices. Professors sometimes use the opportunity to teach something near and dear to their hearts. My daughter took one for an elective freshman year (she didn’t know what her major was at that point) and last year and this year she is taking classes in her major/minor. Here is the list of on campus courses. I’m not sure if they have been updated for this year yet or not. I think this is last year’s. but in any case it will give you an idea.
http://www.elon.edu/e-web/academics/winterTerm/courses-domestic.xhtml
Winter 2016 and Spring 2016 course info is available on OnTrack.
https://ontrack.elon.edu/WebAdvisor/WebAdvisor?TYPE=M&PID=CORE-WBMAIN&TOKENIDX=6201147749
thanks for the insight !