By Zander Leja, 2020-2021 SCS Advising Leader: With completely online courses, some of us are facing new challenges with balancing our workload from class with our free time away from the computer screen. For the last two summers, I have had the opportunity to be a full-time student with a fully remote schedule. From these experiences, I have learned what works best for me, and here are a few of my tips to make the most of our time on and offline. Scheduling blocks of time for life and blocks for school. It is paramount that you schedule your time...

By Elizabeth Jones, 2020-2021 SCS Advising Leader: A mostly virtual semester has brought many new challenges to the collegiate learning experience. While some aspects of online learning still resemble normal classes, one of the biggest changes to adjust to is the increase of asynchronous classes. Without having traditional class periods for lectures, it’s easy to forget about and lose motivation for class. Here are some reminders that can help you stay up to date with your asynchronous coursework: Set time aside: Set specific time aside each week to watch lecture videos,...

By Milena Nutrobkina, Chemical Engineer, 2020-2021 SCS Student Advising Leader Internships are a great opportunity to better acquaint yourself with a company, network with employers, explore your passions and interests, and develop new skills. Most students strive to intern during their college careers, but it may be a difficult and exhausting process. The University of Illinois provides many resources within the School of Chemical Sciences (SCS) and at Grainger College of Engineering. This guide is intended for after the career fair has already passed, where you’ve refined your elevator...

By Rishi Ghorad, 2020-2021 SCS Advising Leader: This semester is unlike any other that has been held before at the University of Illinois history. The first onset of COVID-19 in the United States led to the emergency shift of classes to an online format in the Spring of 2020, but this included situations where some classes were either canceled or largely changed to accommodate the event. The severity of our national situation has changed the priorities and daily lives of all students. It lies with all students to push themselves to keep structure to their day-to-day and...

By Jose Munoz, 2020-2021 SCS Advising Leader: As a new undergraduate, some level of difficulty will be noticed adjusting to life on campus socially. With Illinois having an abundance of social and professional student organizations, finding a place on campus is not a grueling task. Part of being an Illini is being able to create an identity for yourself at such a large university. This can be done by creating or joining one of the many RSO’s (registered student organizations) on campus. Undergraduates can easily find the communities they relate to the most, or want to learn...

  By Alayna Johnson, 2019-2020 SCS Student Advising Leader: College can undoubtedly be chaotic and sometimes it feels like we’re so busy trying to get the best grades, land major internships, and reach leadership positions in our RSOs that it can be difficult to find time to breathe! A recent study found that 34.2% of college students regularly experience burn out, which entails high levels of exhaustion, cynicism, and low professional efficacy. Fortunately, a great way to combat burnout is to engage in...

By Alayna Johnson, 2019-2020 SCS Student Advising Leader: If you’re thinking about going to graduate school, you might be wondering how you’ll pay for it. The good news is that most Ph.D.-level programs in the chemical sciences will cover your tuition and provide a modest living stipend. However, it’s still advantageous to seek outside scholarships and fellowships. For one, earning a fellowship will mean a little more money in your pocket every month. They also look great on your résumé and will make it easier to join a research group once in graduate school. Your first step should be to...

  By Alayna Johnson, 2019-2020 SCS Student Advising Leader: If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school in the chemical sciences, you probably have a lot going through your head. There are many articles online on the ins and outs of applying to graduate school, including this one about keeping costs low during application season by our very own SCS blog writers. However, a less-discussed but equally important aspect is how to keep your cool during the graduate admissions process. I...

  By Alayna Johnson, 2019-2020 SCS Student Advising Leader: Many students aim to complete an internship before the end of their undergraduate career. This is a great idea since interning allows you to build connections with a future employer, offers an opportunity to refine your skills, and helps you stand out during the graduate admissions process. However, getting a position can be tough if you don’t know where to start. Here, I’ll lay out some basic tips for finding an internship.  A great first step is to schedule a meeting with the School of Chemical Sciences Career Services...

  By Kimberly Wei Kim Ngoh, 2019-2020 SCS Student Advising Leader: Between prospective students with an intent to major in chemical engineering, and those who are majoring in it, a common question either parties will ask or face is, “Why is Chemical Engineering in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences?” There is a proper explanation for it, but most of the time students ignore the history and arrive at the question of whether this denies them of the same opportunities their fellow engineering major peers receive. While it does mean that certain rules or criteria of the College of...