You know, 2024–2025? It’s not just dates on a page. Nope. It’s like… waves at the beach. Each term rolls in. Then out. Bringing new stuff each time.
Think about it. Each semester feels big. Like a wave! Full of energy. Full of fun. Then it rolls back. But it leaves good stuff behind. Friends. Grades. Memories.
UNCW isn’t just a school. It’s home by the sea. Every sunrise? New chances. Every sunset? You’ve grown a bit. From day one to graduation day – wow! This calendar shows it all. Not just classes. The whole vibe that makes UNCW shine.
The First Day: New Shores, New Spirits
You can’t forget the first day back. The air feels electric. Students walk around with new notebooks. Bright eyes everywhere! Teachers stand at doors. Coffee in hand. Big smiles too.
Every spot feels alive. The library. The lawn. All of it!
For new students? It’s huge. Like, really huge. Freedom! New stuff to try! For seniors? One more year. Then what? Who knows!
You hear laughing near the dorms. The bell tower rings. Even the birds seem happy. First day at UNCW? It’s not just starting class. It’s joining something bigger. A community. By the coast. That shapes your whole year.
Fall Semester: Riding the Wave of Discovery
Here’s when fall happens:
- Starts: August 19
- Ends: December 13
- Breaks: Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving
Big dates to know:
- Teachers prep: August 12–16
- First class day: August 19
- Labor Day off: September 2
- Fall Break: October 10–11
- Turkey Day Break: November 27–29
- Finals: December 9–13
- Winter Break starts: December 16
Fall at UNCW? It’s alive! Sun hits the brick paths. Students sit by the fountain. Under oak trees. Near Fisher Center. Making friends. Joining clubs. Music fills the air.
October feels calm. Classes roll along. Projects happen. Campus stuff in full swing. November brings thanks. And visits home. December? Tests. Parties. And that good feeling when it’s done.
Winter and Spring Terms: Growing with Grace and Grit
Spring term info:
- Starts: January 8
- Ends: May 9
- Breaks: MLK Day, Spring Break, Memorial Day
Mark these dates:
- Back to class: January 8
- MLK Day: January 20
- Midterms: March 3–7
- Spring Break!: March 10–14
- Memorial Day: May 26
- Finals: May 5–9
- Graduation: May 10
January feels quiet. Like the ocean after a storm. Students come back fresh. Ready to go! Study groups form. Clubs start up. First meetings? Exciting!
February glows. Service projects happen. Campus festivals too. Art shows. School fairs. March brings warm air. And midterms – ugh. But then? Spring Break! April blooms everywhere. Research talks. Senior projects. Classes outside under blue skies. May? Cap and gown time. Pride fills the air. Another year done!
Summer Term: Learning Under the Sun
Summer schedule:
- Starts: May 19
- Ends: August 1
- Holidays: Juneteenth, July 4th
Key summer dates:
- Session 1: May 19 – June 20
- Session 2: June 23 – August 1
- Juneteenth: June 19
- July 4th Break: July 4
Summer at UNCW? It’s different. Smaller classes. Bright days. Quiet halls. Time to focus. Time to grow. Students intern. Do research. Travel places. Some study sea life. Others do art. Or science. All under the sun.
The ocean breeze? Always there. Even in short terms, UNCW spirit stays strong.
Breaks and Holidays: Rest, Reflection, Renewal
UNCW knows rest matters. Breaks help you think. And recharge. Like tides coming back.
- Labor Day: Pause after starting
- Fall Break: Breathe. Travel. Walk the beach
- Thanksgiving: Family time
- Winter Break: Lights and love
- Spring Break: Sun and reset
- Memorial Day: Remember stuff
Each break has purpose. Time to recharge. Then dive back in!
Academic Progress: The Journey, Not Just the Grades
UNCW cares about effort. And growth. Not just letter grades.
Check-in times:
- Midterm grades: October (Fall), March (Spring)
- Final grades: December (Fall), May (Spring)
- Advising weeks: March and October
Advisors help map your goals. Progress takes time. Each term leads somewhere. To more knowledge. Better chances.
Community and Family: The UNCW Connection
Families matter here. They cheer. Visit. Celebrate everything. From move-in to alumni day. They’re part of it all.
Family stuff:
- Family Weekend (September)
- Homecoming (February)
- Service Day (April)
Campus traditions make UNCW special. More than a school. A family by the ocean. Parents. Alumni. Students. All together.
Values and Character: The UNCW Spirit
What we believe in:
- Respect: Be nice to everyone
- Responsibility: Do your part
- Keep Going: Don’t quit
- Do Right: Even when no one sees
- Community: Help each other
These guide everything. In class. In dorms. Everywhere. Not just words. Real actions.
Clubs and Activities: Life Beyond the Classroom
UNCW has tons to do. Every student finds their thing.
Cool clubs:
- Student Government
- Marine Club
- Debate Team
- Culture Groups
- Theater
- Photo Club
- Service Council
Big events:
- Fall Fair
- Homecoming Week
- Spring Arts Fest
- Culture Night
Each event adds fun. Students connect. Work together. Make memories forever.
Athletics and School Spirit: The Power of the Wave
Seahawk pride runs deep. Athletes bring energy everywhere.
Sports by season:
- Fall: Soccer, Volleyball, Running
- Winter: Basketball, Swimming, Cheer
- Spring: Baseball, Tennis, Track
Stands fill with cheers. Songs. Chants. Basketball crowds roar. Swim meets splash. Seahawk spirit unites all. Sports teach courage. And teamwork.
Technology and Innovation: The Future in Focus
Tech at UNCW connects minds. Virtual labs. Smart rooms. Digital research. Teachers blend old and new. Field work meets data stuff. Every subject finds new ways.
Education doesn’t just keep up. It leads the way.
Faculty Growth and Development
Teachers here stay curious. They do workshops. Seminars. Conferences. Always learning. Learning never stops. Not for students. Not for teachers. That shared curiosity? It keeps classes alive.
Emergency Preparedness and Safety
Safety matters. Weather alerts. Campus updates. All clear and fast. Texts. Emails. The app. Everyone stays informed.
Make-up days built in. When nature acts up, learning goes on.
Student Care and Wellness
Well-being comes first. Health means everything. Body. Mind. Heart.
Wellness stuff:
- Mindfulness Month (October)
- Career Week (February)
- Mental Health Month (April)
Counseling helps. Workshops too. Peer support. You’re never alone here.
Giving Back: Service that Strengthens
Service is Seahawk style. Students learn to give. To others. To nature. To the world.
Service projects:
- Beach Clean-Ups
- Food Drives
- Mentoring
- Habitat Builds
From campus to coast, serving builds stronger hearts. Sharper minds too.
Seasons of Learning: A Year by the Sea
- Fall: Fresh starts, sunsets, welcome stuff
- Winter: Think, research, renew
- Spring: Festivals, field work, final wins
- Summer: Discover, intern, prep for next wave
Each season flows. Smooth. Steady. Full of meaning.
Graduation: The Wave of Success
The campus is filled with proud families. Caps and gowns line up. Under blue skies. Ocean breeze carries music. And clapping.
Graduation day? A promise kept. Joy. Thanks. Reflection. Students walk as scholars. Leaders. Dreamers ready for anything.
Caps fly high. Waves crash softly. Learning, like the sea, never ends.
Year at a Glance
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Key Breaks |
| Fall 2024 | Aug 19 | Dec 13 | Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving |
| Spring 2025 | Jan 8 | May 9 | MLK, Spring Break, Memorial Day |
| Summer 2025 | May 19 | Aug 1 | Juneteenth, July 4th |
Each month brings motion. Meaning. Memory. A calendar of learning and life.
Last Thought
This calendar? It’s not just dates. It’s a map. Of growth. Community. Care. Every date tells stories. Every term transforms you. UNCW stands for excellence. Purpose. Peace. And never giving up.
Keep your calendar close. Each sunrise marks new chances. To learn. Lead. Live fully. Here at UNCW, education moves like the sea. Always flowing. Always inspiring.