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.
2026-2027 Academic Calendar
Fall Term (Term I) – 2026
| Event | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Week commences | September 8, 2026 | Tuesday |
| Residence halls open for new students (8 am) | September 8, 2026 | Tuesday |
| First class meeting of First Year Studies | September 11, 2026 | Friday |
| Residence halls open for returning students | September 12, 2026 | Saturday |
| First day of fall term classes | September 14, 2026 | Monday |
| Last day to make class changes or select S/U for fall | September 18, 2026 | Friday |
| Mid-term Reading Period | October 22-25, 2026 | Thursday-Sunday |
| Last day to withdraw from fall term classes | November 6, 2026 | Friday |
| Last day of fall term classes | November 19, 2026 | Thursday |
| Reading Period | November 20-21, 2026 | Friday-Saturday |
| Final Examinations | November 22-24, 2026 | Sunday-Tuesday |
| Residence halls close (noon) | November 25, 2026 | Wednesday |
December Term (D-Term) – 2026
| Event | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Residence halls open (9 am) | November 29, 2026 | Sunday |
| First day of D-Term classes | November 30, 2026 | Monday |
| Last day to make class changes or select S/U for D-Term | November 30, 2026 | Monday |
| Last day to withdraw from a D-Term class | December 9, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Last day of D-Term classes and final examinations | December 11, 2026 | Friday |
| Closing event if one is scheduled for the class | December 12-13, 2026 | Saturday-Sunday |
| Residence halls close (6 pm) | December 13, 2026 | Sunday |
Winter Term (Term II) – 2027
| Event | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Residence halls open (9 am) | January 3, 2027 | Sunday |
| First day of winter term classes | January 4, 2027 | Monday |
| Last day to make class changes or select S/U for winter | January 8, 2027 | Friday |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes) | January 18, 2027 | Monday |
| Mid-term Reading Period | February 11-14, 2027 | Thursday-Sunday |
| Last day to withdraw from winter term classes | February 26, 2027 | Friday |
| Last day of winter term classes | March 12, 2027 | Friday |
| Reading Period | March 13-14, 2027 | Saturday-Sunday |
| Final Examinations | March 15-17, 2027 | Monday-Wednesday |
| Residence halls close (noon) | March 18, 2027 | Thursday |
Spring Term (Term III) – 2027
| Event | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Residence halls open (9 am) | March 28, 2027 | Sunday |
| First day of spring term classes | March 29, 2027 | Monday |
| Last day to make class changes or select S/U for spring | April 2, 2027 | Friday |
| Mid-term Reading Period | May 6-9, 2027 | Thursday-Sunday |
| Last day to withdraw from spring term classes | May 21, 2027 | Friday |
| Memorial Day (no classes) | May 31, 2027 | Monday |
| Last day of spring term classes | June 4, 2027 | Friday |
| Reading Period | June 5-6, 2027 | Saturday-Sunday |
| Final examinations | June 7-9, 2027 | Monday-Wednesday |
| Residence halls close for underclassmen (noon) | June 10, 2027 | Thursday |
| Commencement | June 13, 2027 | Sunday |
| Residence halls close for seniors (6 pm) | June 13, 2027 | Sunday |