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Fall to-do’s and academic resources for students

September 11, 2025

Dear students, 

We are excited to welcome you to Fall Quarter! Whether this is your first term, your last or somewhere in between, we hope you find the following academic updates and reminders helpful.

 

Campus Arrival and Course Engagement

Being present in your classes at the start of the quarter is important for your learning, especially on the quarter system. Early and regular attendance ensures that you become comfortable with the structure and requirements of your classes and meet your classmates and instructors. For all these reasons, Northwestern’s Undergraduate Policy on In-Person Arrival and Course Engagement sets the expectation that when you take classes with in-person meetings you must be on campus and in attendance no later than the end of the first week of the quarter, and will remain in attendance until the end of the quarter.  Students who do not arrive on time may be withdrawn from their class(es).

To Do: If you are worried that you may need to arrive after the quarter begins or may not be able to attend throughout, please contact your school dean’s office right away.

 

Fall 2025 Academic Calendar

Classes begin earlier this fall, and Thanksgiving break will be slightly longer than usual. Our academic calendar is designed to avoid beginning the academic year on major religious holidays and this year we’ve adjusted around Rosh Hashanah, with class dates realigned to still ensure the appropriate time for teaching and learning. Please note that most classes will require you to be on campus after Thanksgiving break and that the deadline to withdraw from classes is during break, Wednesday, Nov. 26.

We will return to a typical start date and Thanksgiving break next year.

To Do: Check your syllabi for attendance expectations before and after Thanksgiving break and plan any travel accordingly. If you decide to withdraw from class(es), petition by the deadline, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26.

 

Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance

Students will not be penalized for class absences due to religious holidays, per Northwestern’s Policy on Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance.

To Do: If you need an academic accommodation for a common midterm exam (a midterm that takes place outside of the regular class meeting time) or final exam, complete this form. Request any academic accommodation for religious reasons from your instructor or via this form before the end of the second week of the quarter, Friday, Sept. 26.

 

Administrative Tasks

If you haven’t already, make sure you complete the three annual tasks assigned to you in CAESAR: 1) submitting your emergency information, 2) signing your financial responsibility agreement and eConsent, and 3) acknowledging the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct. You received an email about each of these that includes information and deadlines.

To Do: Double check your Student Agreements tile in CAESAR to make sure you’ve completed all three annual requirements.

 

Finding Help

It is normal for Northwestern students to seek academic support. Those who do often report deeper learning and see improved grades. The following academic support services are always available to you at no additional cost:

Northwestern takes your belonging, financial well-being and career planning seriously, too. The following offices are designed to support you:

  • Student Affairs - Engages students throughout their Northwestern experience, provides support, and helps students develop important skills both in and out of the classroom. Look for more information from Student Affairs in the coming days.
  • Undergraduate Financial Aid - Administers grants, scholarships and loans, and supports your financial wellness.
  • Northwestern Career Advancement - Offers programs and advising to help you prepare for and navigate job and internship searches as well as graduate and law school applications.
  • Office of Fellowships - Helps students secure externally funded study opportunities during and after their time at Northwestern.

To Do:  Check out support resources now or keep this list so you know where to go later.

 

We’re excited to begin this new academic year and thrilled to welcome you. Wishing you a fulfilling quarter!

Sincerely, 

Jaci Casazza
Assistant Provost and University Registrar

Karen Smilowitz
Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education