Happy New Year and happy new quarter UWFamily! The Parent & Family Programs is excited to start off 2026 with optimism and a steady focus on helping families navigate the winter months with connection and care!
January Check‑In Questions for You and Your Husky
Winter quarter can feel like a reset — or a slog — depending on the student. These four questions work well for families near or far, and for all living situations:
- “How’s your time‑management or test‑prep feeling so far — what’s working, what’s not?”
- “What kind of encouragement/support do you want from me right now — reminders, brainstorming, or just a listening ear?”
- “How are you doing with your living situation and your sleep, meals, and movement?”
- “Want me to listen first — or jump to solutions?”
Tackling the Winter Gloom — Tips for You and Your Husky
Seattle’s winter can be beautiful… and also gray, wet, and a little draining. Many students feel a dip in energy or motivation this time of year. Here are a few ways you can help your Husky navigate the seasonal slump:
- Encourage daylight moments
- Even 10–15 minutes of outdoor light — a walk to class, a loop around campus, or sitting by a window — can boost mood and focus.
- Movement matters (even small amounts)
- Students don’t need a full workout to feel better. Stretching, a short walk, or a quick rec center visit can help reset energy levels
- Help them build a “winter routine”
- Winter quarter often feels more manageable when students create:
- predictable study blocks
- consistent sleep/wake times
- one weekly “something to look forward to”
- Winter quarter often feels more manageable when students create:
- Normalize the mid‑winter dip
- Let your student know it’s common to feel slower or less motivated in January and February. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s staying connected and supported.
- Remind them of campus resources
- Academic advising, mental health support, tutoring, and community spaces are all active during winter quarter. Sometimes a nudge is all a student needs
#ShareWithYourHusky: UW Alert Testing on January 22 at 1:22 p.m.
UW will test its active‑threat alert systems this winter. Seattle’s test is Jan. 22, Tacoma’s is Feb. 19, and Bothell’s will occur later in the quarter. Messages will be clearly marked TEST, include safety guidance, and will not involve any simulations or sounds. Let your Husky know that they are expected to get an alert at that time and to not worry on any troubles around the area!
Watch & Discuss: AI and the Future of Work
During UW Family Weekend, families had so many questions about AI, learning, and the future of work that our presenters created a follow‑up episode to keep the conversation going. It’s a longer watch/listen, so feel free to jump to the sections most relevant to your family.
Important Timestamps:
- 2:34 — Family Weekend recap + “knowing with”
- 22:23 — Strategies that help students learn with AI
- 35:53 — How parents can stay relevant and supportive
- 47:35 — Integrity, privacy, and trusted platforms
HFS Has a New Payment System for Housing Payments
UW Housing & Food Services has transitioned to a new payment system! If you manage your Husky’s housing payments, please use the updated portal to submit future payments.
Bundle Up for Basketball Season
A small number of discounted tickets remain for UW vs. USC on Wed., March 4 (7:30 p.m.) at Alaska Airlines Arena, grab ’em before they’re gone!
Check out our discounted ticket portal for all available games going on this Winter Quarter
Dawg Dates & Deadlines
- Jan 19: Marthin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes)
- Jan 22: UW Alert Email/Text Testing Drill
- Jan 23: Winter Tuition and Residence Hall charges due
Support the Parent & Family Fund
Every year, parent and family generosity makes it possible for UW students and families to feel supported from the moment they arrive on campus to the moment they cross the graduation stage. Your support ensures these programs remain accessible and welcoming to all Huskies and families. This year, the Parent & Family Fund helped connect and serve more than 15,000 families and students.
