Winter break traditionally has been a time when college students head home for a month. After celebrating the holidays with their families, they often work for a few weeks to earn some money or just take it easy after the rigors of fall semester. Today, however, more and more students are returning to the classroom in early January to take advantage of J-term courses.

J-term is a three-week period of compressed study held in January. First offered at St. Norbert during the 2008-09 school year, SNC’s J-term originally consisted of more niche courses, such as travel-and-study opportunities. Today’s expanded course offerings, most of which are offered online, include core curriculum classes that students may need to squeeze in, such as classes in biology, finance or communications.

Savings. At just $545 per credit (plus a $50 technology fee), J-term 2026 courses cost significantly less than those offered during the spring and fall semesters.

Focused study. Students who find a particular subject difficult often have more success studying it during J-term. With just one course on the docket, they can put all of their efforts into this single, challenging subject, which can be the key to better understanding.

Progress toward degrees. J-term courses offer students the opportunity to get ahead or to catch up.

Convenience. Some students find it handy to squeeze in another class over winter break, or try one that sounds interesting.

More than 200 SNC students typically take advantage of J-term classes each year. This academic year, J-term is Jan. 5-23, 2026. Students can find a list of course offerings by logging into KnightLine.

Just as with J-term classes, courses taken during the summer term are offered at a steep discount. Your student can sign up for a full summer’s worth of classes or just one course. The 2026 classes are held during one of five sessions lasting either four or eight weeks. The entire program operates May 18 through Aug. 7.