Navigating Winter Quarter with Intention

Tips for Managing Winter Quarter

As fall quarter draws to a close with Big Game, Thanksgiving break, and finals approaching, that means it’s almost time to plan and register for winter quarter classes. Winter quarter is infamous for being the quarter in which some people decide to enroll in the highest unit counts. The reason? These students are of the mind that since winter quarter is dark and cold anyways, why not add onto the dreariness by taking a heavier workload? In this way, there’s more flexibility to have a freer schedule in the spring when things are fun and sunny and bright.

Honestly, it’s not necessarily a bad idea, but it’s just very hard to balance academics with your health and well-being while having three psets a week and dealing with 5 PM sunsets. To that end, here are some tips and tricks to managing winter quarter.

Plan Events to Look Forward To

Campus activities are normally quieter during winter quarter because everyone is locked in. Therefore, it’s up to you to plan events to look forward to! There are 2 three-day weekends during winter quarter for MLK Jr. Day and President’s Day. These are great times to plan parties, day trips, or even quick getaways. Having something on your calendar that you can be excited about and look forward to as breaks in a hard-working quarter can be great for motivation and mindset checkpoints!

Develop a Routine

Since winter is typically a stressful quarter, developing a healthy routine can aid in reducing any additional anxiety that can arise from unpredictable stressors. A well-structured routine can help you carve out enough time for yourself and your relationships amidst a busy class schedule. Reserving physical activity for the daytime can be optimal for improving your mood and energy. It can also be beneficial for developing good sleep habits!

Know Your Classes’ Late Work Policies

When you’re taking a large course load, turning in assignments late can become something that is more strategic rather than reactive. At the beginning of the quarter, go through all your courses’ syllabi to plan when your assignments are due as well as when your midterms and finals are. You should also understand the late work policies for each of your classes. Do you have late days? Do you need to ask for an extension 24 hours in advance? Is the assignment worth 50% if it's a day late? After gathering all this information, you can be strategic in planning to turn in an assignment for one class late when it's a heavy week for your other classes. This type of course management can be very helpful in feeling in charge of your academics and not feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work.

Winter quarter may be the toughest stretch of the academic year, but it doesn’t have to be all bad! With a little foresight, structure, and self-compassion, you can ensure that your winter quarter schedule works best for you by working smarter and taking care of yourself along the way.

Written by: Ryan Esquival, Class of 2026