News and resources for undergraduates, compiled by Student Affairs in collaboration with university partners

We know you have lots to keep track of as a Hopkins student, and The Word from the Bird is here to help! Each edition contains important deadlines, announcements, and other need-to-know information, along with helpful reminders and updates about resources, services, programs, and more. Look for new editions in your inbox every other week during the academic year.

Let us know how we can make this communication more helpful at studentaffairs@jhu.edu. If you missed a previous edition of the newsletter, you can find an archive of past issues online.

Programming note: The next edition of The Word from the Bird will be published on Wednesday, March 25. We hope you have a fun, safe, and restful Spring Break!

Commencement registration now open
Eligible graduation candidates should have received a registration email from Tassel. Participation in the Commencement ceremony requires registration in Tassel by Friday, April 17. While in Tassel, verify your name, pronunciation, and degree. If you haven't received your email from Tassel, reach out to your school's Registrar.

It’s not too late to enroll in a tuition payment plan
SEAM offers a no-interest payment plan that allows your family to divide semester costs across as many as five equal monthly payments. The plans are flexible and accessible online, allowing participants to adjust as needed throughout the semester. Learn more and sign up by March 12 for Spring 2026.

Spring Break is right around the corner, and whether you’re traveling or staying in Baltimore, we hope you enjoy your time off! 

To see the full slate of Commemoration Days programming, visit Hopkins Groups.

Careers in Startups Week is happening now
Collaborating with the Pava Center and Carey Business School, Integrated Learning and Life Design’s Careers in Startups Week is designed to prepare you for innovation-oriented roles across early-stage startups, growth companies, and venture-backed organizations. Join alumni panels, workshops, hands-on case sessions, and an employer pop-up with companies hiring Hopkins talent. Register online to attend.

Upcoming registration dates and deadlines

Questions about registration or other academic deadlines? Contact SEAM.

Summer scholarship opportunities from Life Design Lab
The Life Design Lab is kicking off the application period for summer scholarships! These scholarships aim to help undergraduates explore high-impact summer opportunities, including unpaid internships. Be sure to visit the LDL website for more details; applications are due April 10 at 12 p.m.

Info session on financing off-campus living
Learn what to look for when searching for off-campus housing and how this transition may impact your financial aid and refund packages. Staff from Student Financial Services and Off-Campus Housing will share important tips, walk through common considerations, and be available to answer questions and provide guidance on the spot to help you feel confident and prepared. The info session will be held in-person in BSC 204A on March 4 at 5 p.m.; RSVP in Hopkins Groups.

Nominations open for Student Employee and Supervisor of the Year
It's time to nominate the remarkable individuals who deserve the titles of Student Employee or Supervisor of the Year for 2026! Learn more about the eligibility criteria and submit your nomination to University Experiential Learning via their online form by March 5.

Hopkins Dining wants your feedback
Now through March 13, Hopkins Dining is hosting its annual Customer Satisfaction Survey and invites the Hopkins community to share feedback. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and is completely confidential. Participants will be entered for a chance to win $100 in Dining Dollars — and help shape the future of dining at Hopkins.

Save the Date: Community Street Spruce on March 28
Join Off-Campus Housing as they host their third annual Community Street Spruce – an opportunity to help clean up the neighborhood just outside your door! Students, staff, and faculty are invited to volunteer alongside neighbors to clean up some of the neighborhoods around the Homewood campus. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and a thank-you gift. RSVP in Hopkins Groups.

Participate in the Out of the Darkness Walk
The annual Out of the Darkness Walk to raise awareness and community around suicide prevention will take place on April 11 at O'Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being. Student Health and Well-Being is looking for individuals and groups to perform, speak, or serve as emcees – contact Carol Spencer by March 15 if you are interested.

Advice from RAs on adjusting to college life
Visit @jhustudentlife on Instagram to see the latest video in our Dear Blue Jay series, in which students give peer-to-peer advice on getting the most out of the Hopkins undergraduate experience.

In the latest edition, current resident advisors respond to the question, "What advice do you have for Blue Jays who are adjusting to life as a college student?"

If you have ideas for questions to feature in upcoming Dear Blue Jay videos, send us a DM or an email!

Apply to join next year’s Student Conduct Board
Student Conduct is seeking applicants to serve on the 2026–27 Student Conduct Board. Board members should demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, be active listeners, think objectively, and effectively manage conflict. To learn more, read the detailed job description and apply by March 9 for consideration.

New student artwork on display in the BSC
The Center for Visual Arts has a new installation of student work on display at the Student Exhibition Art Wall in the Bloomberg Student Center! This exhibition showcases the works of students from Professor Margaret Murphy’s Painting II course from Fall 2025. The work on display is from an assignment where students used drone footage captured on campus to create aerial landscape paintings, emphasizing atmospheric and aerial perspectives.

Applications open: Join the New Student Orientation Core Team
The New Student Orientation Core Team is comprised of Hopkins students who assist the Student Transitions and Family Engagement staff in the planning and implementation of NSO. To be considered for this leadership opportunity, please apply on SMILE (Job #13706) and submit this supplemental form by March 15.

As the spring semester continues, we'd like to share some resources available to support you: