Spring to-do’s and academic resources for undergraduate students
Dear students,
As Winter Quarter comes to a close, we write to wish you luck on your upcoming exams and share a few reminders regarding Spring Quarter.
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 understand expectations, become comfortable with the structure 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 must 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 Students who do not arrive on time may be withdrawn from their class(es).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 remain engaged throughout, please contact your school dean’s office right away.
Spring 2026 Academic Calendar
Don’t forget about Northwestern Monday. Spring Quarter begins on Tuesday, March 31, with Monday classes meeting that day. Classes that meet on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule will meet for their first class on Thursday. Classes that usually meet only on Tuesdays will not meet during the first week of the term. Your CAESAR class schedule will reflect the following:
- Monday, March 30: No classes (Spring Break)
- Tuesday, March 31: Classes begin. “Northwestern Monday” means that classes scheduled for Monday meet on this day.
- Wednesday, April 1: Schedule returns to normal.
- Tuesday, April 7: Tuesday-only classes meet for the first time.
Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance
Students are not penalized for class absences due to religious holidays, per our Policy on Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance. Please note that religious accommodations are for local observance and students must comply with the in-person arrival policy.
To Do: If you need a religious accommodation in the first week of the quarter, reach out to your instructor before the term begins. If you need one for a common midterm exam (a midterm that takes place outside of the regular class meeting time) or final exam, complete the Office of the Provost’s religious accommodation request form before the end of the second week of the term. This form can be found near the middle of the Policy on Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance webpage.
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:
- Academic Support and Learning Advancement (ASLA) offers tutoring and study groups for 30+ courses, academic coaching and robust online resources.
- The Writing Place provides peer consultations and support for written assignments of any kind.
- Your advisers are experts in Northwestern academics. Make an appointment with your academic adviser when you have questions or establish a regular check-in.
Learning to manage all aspects of your well-being is important, and Northwestern offers myriad services, offices and options to support you in this.
To Do: Check out support resources now or keep this list so you know where to go later.
Wishing you a fun, fulfilling quarter!
Sincerely,
Jaci Casazza
Assistant Provost and University Registrar
Karen Smilowitz
Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education