TRIMESTER SCHEDULE
Three Terms. More Ways to Learn.
TRIMESTER OVERVIEW
Good Things Come in Threes
Each academic year is divided into three 10-week terms: Fall, Winter, and Spring. You’ll typically take three courses per term, giving you more time to focus deeper.
Term 1: Fall
Our academic calendar kicks off in early September and runs up through Thanksgiving. The first of our 10-week terms is the traditional start for new first-year students.
Term 2: Winter
We return for a new calendar year and the start of the Winter Term. Wisconsin winters can get really cold, so you’ll want to cozy up to some good books and warm beverages as your study companions.
Term 3: Spring
After a brief spring break at the end of March, our third term closes out our academic year strong by mid-June. By the time you arrive back on campus for Spring Term, flowers are blooming, and everything is springing back to life as we lead up to commencement.
D-TERM
December Term
This optional two-week term gives you time to study, explore, travel, complete an internship, or simply take a longer break before Winter Term begins.
BENEFITS OF TRIMESTERS
More Focus. More Flexibility. More Opportunity.
With three terms each year, Lawrence gives you space to focus on fewer courses at a time while still exploring a wide range of interests. The trimester schedule helps you stay engaged, go deeper, and make room for experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
Freedom to Explore
Room to Recharge and Explore
In addition to traditional breaks, the academic year includes D-Term, an optional period between Fall and Winter Terms. You can use that time to rest, travel, pursue an internship, take a course, or focus on a personal project.
MORE FOCUS
Fewer Courses at Once. Deeper Learning.
With three courses per term, you can spend more time with each subject, each professor, and each project. The trimester schedule helps you focus your energy and build stronger connections across what you’re learning.
MORE OPPORTUNITY
Space to Try Something New
Because you take courses across three terms, you have more chances to explore new subjects, combine interests, and shape an academic path that reflects your goals.
2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Major Milestones Calendar
| First day of classes | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Why Putin? The Russia Syndrome | April 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Film Satire | May 27, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Perchance to Dream: Dreamwork from a Historical and Psychoanalytic Perspective | June 14, 2026 | Sunday |
| Exploring Artificial Intelligence | June 14, 2026 | Sunday |
| Relief Printing: Creation and Repetition | June 21, 2026 | Sunday |
| This Wormy World! | June 28, 2026 | Sunday |