By Mira Bhimani, SCS Advising Leader Getting burnt out is a common problem faced by college students. When we have a lot on our plate and so much to get done each day, it is difficult to maintain the same level of efficiency without taking a break to recover. Scientific studies show that taking a break has a positive relationship with wellbeing and productivity. Taking some time off from studies periodically can greatly boost performance in the long run. I would like to share a story that I heard recently. Once upon a time, two woodcutters decided to have a competition to...

By Emma Bergmann, SCS Advising Leader There is no question about it; we are in the thick of this spring semester! While the occasional warm and sunny days have been helping to keep me motivated, I still struggle occasionally to make the most of my open time. With a heavy load of classes and extracurriculars, it can be tricky to feel inspired to hit the books when you have a few free hours. This semester I have been extra committed to combating these feelings by exploring all the study spaces on campus. I have found that getting out of my apartment helps me minimize...

By Katie Southon, SCS Advising Leader February is Black History Month, a time to pay tribute and honor the contributions and sacrifices by generations of African Americans. I encourage you to explore the resources and exhibits around campus and develop a richer understanding and appreciation of Black History Month. I’ve compiled a list of places to see and events to attend, but also know that this is not an exhaustive list. Keep an eye out for campus newsletters, event postings, and other events in the Champaign-Urbana community. Learn about St. Elmo Brady...

By Mira Bhimani, SCS Advising Leader Starting a new semester is always great because it gives you a chance to start fresh. Maybe you didn’t do so well last semester and want to redeem yourself, or you did well but now want to challenge yourself by starting a new job or research position. Maybe you are taking hard classes and are scared of your ability to manage them, or you struggle with balancing your academics and other responsibilities. From my own experience, here are some tips that I find useful whenever I start a new semester: Planning and organising...

By Emma Bergmann, SCS Advising Leader I can’t believe we are over halfway through the first semester! Time is flying by this year and it can be easy to get behind on reports or assignments as every class is in full swing. It can be easy to fall into a rhythm of doing just enough to get by, but not being proactive or thinking of upcoming weeks. To avoid a pileup of homework or that dreaded night-before-exam cram, I am going to be sharing some of the best ways to be a more dynamic student.  The most crucial piece of advice I can offer anyone is NOT WAITING until right...

By Katie Southon, SCS Advising Leader Course registration is right around the corner! It can be a daunting task to plan your schedule for the next semester, but it’s important to plan ahead so that you can take the classes you want and stay on track to graduate. Here are some tips and tricks from a senior who’s gone through registration seven times before. First, you’ll want to make a four-year plan. No, seriously. It sounds scary to plan for four years down the line, but there’s a couple of modifications I have made to make the whole process less overwhelming. I made an...

By Mira Bhimani, SCS Advising Leader  Do you want to discover a catalyst or anti-cancer drug, develop new kinds of materials or instrumental techniques, or study the behavior of matter at any length scale from small molecules to large proteins and entire cells? Undergraduate research is an opportunity for undergraduates to join a professor’s research group on campus. This is a great opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to help solve problems in the world and understand the actual applications of each principle learned in class. Research can be...

By Mira Bhimani, SCS Advising Leader Do you feel overwhelmed or feel like your semester is going terribly? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. With week 8 right around the corner, you may be thinking it’s too late to fix your grades or get back on track. But it’s not too late. Here’s some tips that can help you go from an academic victim to an academic weapon mid-semester: Go to office hours – The best way to start understanding the material in a class that you’re doing badly in is to just restart from the beginning. Open your textbooks, study material,...

By Emma Bergmann, SCS Advising Leader  We are officially into the thick of fall semester, and I would be lying if I said I feel 100% on top of everything and free of stress. A string of midterms, projects, and meetings can make the week feel daunting and overwhelming at times. While performing well in classes is extremely important, it is also critical to take time for yourself and be able to enjoy life outside of school. In my time at Illinois, I have found that the key to my academic success lies not only in studying, but also in prioritizing my mental health and...

By Emily Joyce, SCS Advising Leader  At the University of Illinois, the official major title for all chemical engineering majors is chemical and biomolecular engineering. This allows students in the major to choose around the time of their Sophomore and Junior years whether they want to concentrate on Chemical Engineering or Biomolecular Engineering. This choice will dictate the topics of the technical electives they take in their Junior and Senior years. As a senior in chemical engineering, I chose around the second semester of my sophomore year that I wanted to...