Opinion
J-Term an underrated opportunity to catch up in credits
November 12, 2015
Registration for UWRF’s J-term opened Monday, Oct. 12 on eSIS. J-term is the University of Wisconsin – River Falls’ four-week winter term held during the month of January between the Christmas holidays and the beginning of the spring semester. Students have the opportunity to take up to four credits during the university’s J-term, whether they choose to take the course online or on campus. Financial aid is available for the 2016 J-term to those who were enrolled at the university during the fall semester and who have a current FAFSA filed.
J-term courses benefit students in multiple ways. Students who may find themselves bored while at home over the Christmas holidays are welcome to occupy their time through participation in one of the university’s 58 J-term courses, most of which are offered online. Students seeking to get ahead will also find this opportunity to be a great benefit from the academic offerings of the university; while, typically, passing up a J-term opportunity won’t affect one’s ability to graduate within four years.
Upperclassman Luke Fleck finds the opportunity to work a greater benefit to him rather than taking advantage of the J-term, because, in his words, “by the time Fall semester ends, I’m broke.” Sara Joslin, a junior, has similar sentiments: “I haven’t taken a J-term course because I typically work 40 hours a week over J-term. I depend on the money I make during those weeks of J-term and during the summer to help me pay for the cost of living in an apartment. Also, I would have to pay out of pocket about $1,000.” Whereas Tiffany Miller, a freshman, seeks the opportunity to earn her degree in a shorter time period, while it will also give her something to do during the winter break at home. She is waiting to consult her advisor as to whether or not a J-term course would be the best decision for her.
According to the university’s website, J-term benefits students by offering “small class sizes, more interaction with faculty and the ability to complete a course in a shorter time with fewer distractions.”
Melanie Meyers is a student at UW-River Falls.