Winter Study is the span of weeks between the two semesters at Williams. The courses offered during winter study may seem silly and frivolous in comparison to the academic rigors of semesterly courses, but nothing could be further from the truth. Many people find that the freedom from the usual constraints allows them to study whatever strikes their fancy, with no concerns about getting credit towards a major or dropping GPA. Winter Study also frequently features courses that include trips abroad, which are highly popular.
Winter Study for the 2005-2006 school year begins on Tuesday, January 3rd and ends on Thursday, January 26th. (Spring classes don't start until the following Wednesday, February 2nd.)
Registration
From an email sent to students:
"The first phase of Winter Study registration in PeopleSoft/SELFREG will take place Wednesday, 19 October, 9:00am, through Sunday, 23 October (closing at 8 a.m. Monday, 24 October). You will sign up for your FIRST CHOICE only at that time. IT IS NOT ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVED BASIS. For overenrolled courses, instructors make the selections."
If you don't get into your first choice, you'll be notified and have another opportunity to submit a selection.
Classes
A list of the Winter Study classes offered can be found in two places:
- In the back back of the regular Course Catalog.
- Online, which is the most up to date source. NOTE WHICH CLASSES HAVE BEEN DROPPED!
Classes That Sound Really Intense
Classes That Sound Ridiculous
Outside of Class
You have a lot more free time during Winter Study because you're only taking one so-called class. Keep yourself busy; idle hands are the devil's tools, right?
The Free University is a collection of classes and activities taught and run entirely by students on any number of interesting things.
KAOS: Killing as Organized Sport is about paranoia, showering with a fake gun nearby and never sleeping in the same place twice. It's also totally awesome.
Broomball is like hockey, but with shoes instead of skates, "brooms" instead of sticks, and a ball instead of a puck. So, essentially, all it has in common with hockey is the ice.