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 includes a compilation of important deadlines, announcements, and other need-to-know information, along with helpful reminders and updates about resources, services, programs, and more. Let us know how we can make this new communication more helpful at studentaffairs@jhu.edu.

Programming Note: This is the last edition of Word from the Bird for 2023; the newsletter will return in January. 

In the first spring 2024 edition, we want to highlight your adventures over Winter Break! If you have a great photo of yourself traveling, celebrating the holidays, or even just relaxing at home, share it with us at studentaffairs@jhu.edu. Bonus points for sporting your Hopkins gear!

Intersession registration opens Dec. 5 

Each January, undergraduate students can register for a diverse set of one-, two-, or three-week Intersession courses that are not typically offered during the academic year. Students can take up to two Intersession courses, which are graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.  

There is no additional tuition for current degree-seeking undergraduates who have been registered full-time for the preceding fall semester. Students who do not meet these criteria are charged tuition on a per-credit basis. 

You can now view available courses for Intersession 2024 in SIS. Registration opens on December 5 at 10 a.m. ET. Undergraduate students can enroll in undergraduate-level courses online via Self-Service. Undergraduate students enrolling in graduate-level courses can do so via Case Management System; all approvals must be attached to the case. 

Reminder to register for Winter Break housing 

All residential students are required to fill out the Winter Break Housing Registration on the Housing Portal by 5 p.m. on Monday, December 11. Students who do not complete the registration by the deadline risk having their J-Card access turned off during the break.

To submit the Winter Break Housing Registration, students must: 

1. Sign in on the Housing Portal; 
2. Select “Services & Forms” on the blue navigation bar;
3. Select “Winter Break Housing Registration”;
4. Select “Start Form” and follow the instructions on the page. 

You can view more information about Winter Break Housing Registration, as well as a checklist of tasks to complete before leaving your residence hall for break, on the Housing website.  

Watch highlights from last year's Lighting of the Quads celebration.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will gather on Keyser Quad starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5 to commemorate the end of another fall semester and the beginning of the holiday season with Johns Hopkins' annual Lighting of the Quads. The evening will include musical performances, hot cocoa, illuminated artwork, and exclusive giveaways, leading up to the moment when President Daniels flips the ceremonial switch to light up Homewood campus with holiday lights and a spectacular fireworks display.

The event is sponsored by the Hopkins Parents Fund and the office of Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development. Be sure to RSVP in Hopkins Groups!

CSS Saturdays: Study with a Tutor

Head over to the Center for Student Success this weekend for CSS Saturdays: Study with a Tutor, a new initiative offered in partnership with the Office of Academic Support. Enjoy pizza and snacks while studying in community with other students and with the support of tutors and study consultants. This Saturday's session will be held from 12–4 p.m. with another session scheduled for Saturday, December 9. If you have questions prior to attending, please contact studentsuccess@jhu.edu. 

Intersession program spotlight: B’More 

All undergraduate students are now eligible to register for a B’More course this Intersession! A program within the Center for Social Concern, B’More Intersession courses are designed to introduce Hopkins students to civic and community engagement in Baltimore. This year’s theme is “What is repair?” and includes courses focused on art and healing, urban planning, public health and K-12 education, and the legacies of health, race, and class. Register by January 16, 2024 to participate. 

Spring 2024 registration is open 

As a reminder, spring course registration is now open for all undergraduate students! Please note that continuous registration is available through February 2, 2024 at 12 p.m. Contact your academic advisor or make an appointment with SEAM to discuss your academic progress and begin planning for the upcoming semester. 

Additionally, effective spring 2024, students are no longer permitted to register for time conflicts at the time of registration. Students are required to obtain email approvals from the course instructor(s) in order to be registered by SEAM for courses with a time conflict.

Utilize your Federal Work-Study award to participate in the National Partnership for Student Success

Have you been awarded Federal Work-Study for the 2023–24 school year? Consider using your award to contribute to the National Partnership for Student Success—a national effort spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Education to address learning loss in K-12 schools—and earn money through tutoring, mentoring, and coaching.

Make sure your SMILE profile is set to “✓YES” for Federal Work-Study to see available opportunities. Travel grants are also available to help cover transportation costs if working with K-12 students off campus. Reach out to the Hopkins Financial Aid Team with any questions!

DEI Collective summer internships 

Looking for an internship at a company that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion—and shares where they are in that process? For the third year running, Hire Hopkins’ DEI Collective is spreading the word about summer internships at companies, nonprofits, and research groups that are committed to making workplaces more inclusive. Learn more about the DEI Collective and log in to Handshake to see organizations currently accepting applications for summer 2024. 

Spirit Brunch at Hopkins Café

Join Hopkins Dining for a Spirit Brunch on Saturday, December 9 from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. Show your Hopkins spirit and wear your favorite Hopkins gear while enjoying an elevated brunch menu, music, giveaways and Hopkins-themed decor before your finals and leaving for break. All are welcome; meal plan holders can use their meal swipes, Dining Dollars, or even guest swipes, while non-meal plan holders can pay with J-Cash, credit, or debit. Learn more and register in Hopkins Groups to attend! 

A new look for well-being resources online 

Many of JHU’s resources to support student health and well-being have a new home on wellbeing.jhu.edu. If you’re looking for the Counseling Center, Behavioral Health Crisis Support Team, or other resources and tools to support your mental health, you can now find them on the Mental Health Services site. If you’re looking to make an appointment to treat an illness or an injury, you can now find clinic hours and appointment scheduling on the Primary Care website. For questions or help finding a resource, contact wellbeing@jhu.edu.  

Nutritional therapy with a registered dietitian 

The winter holidays and New Year’s resolutions can bring up a lot of complicated feelings about food and weight. If you have concerns you’d like to discuss, consider making an appointment with JHU’s registered dietitian, Rayven Nairn. Rayven administers medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling to her patients using a non-diet, health-at-every-size approach. To learn more and to make an appointment, visit the Nutritional Therapy page. 

Hopkins Symphony Orchestra performance Dec. 2

Spend a December evening listening to Romantic orchestral works with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra. Be serenaded by the enchanting sounds of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto no. 2 performed by Sara Davis Buechner, who the New York Times hails for her “intelligence, integrity and all-encompassing technical prowess.” Finish off the evening with Johannes Brahms’ exhilarating first symphony. The concert is December 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Shriver Hall. Tickets are free; register here to attend.  

Cheer on the Blue Jays this week

'Tis the season for postseason play! Volleyball and Football have both advanced to the NCAA tournament quarterfinals with games scheduled for this week. Volleyball travels to Claremont, California to take on Hope College this evening at 7:30 p.m. You can stream the action live online. Football hosts Randolph-Macon on Saturday at 12 p.m. on Homewood Field. Admission is free for all students with ID.

"Hoopy Holidays" also returns this weekend, with men's and women's basketball both playing games Saturday in Goldfarb Gym. There will be free festive food, apple cider and hot chocolate at the men’s game at 4 p.m. and free festive shirts given away during the women’s game at 6 p.m.

Remember to take good care of yourself as we head into finals! After the semester ends, you can still access many of our well-being resources remotely and on-demand from wherever you're spending your winter break.