Finding Community on Campus

Group of friends at the Main Quad in the Spring Season
By Mira Bhimani, SCS Advising Leader To thrive instead of just survive, you need you find a community for yourself on campus. A community is a friend or group of friends who feel like home. It is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. For many of us, coming to college has meant we have had to leave our hometown and make new friends. This is not always easy and it is okay to struggle with making friends. But despite the struggle, it is always worth it. Having a support system of good friends to lean on...

Exploring Study Spaces on Campus

Students studying at The University of Illinois Main Library
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...

Tips on Starting the Semester off Strong

Students get back to studies as classes resume.
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...

Tips and Resources for Success

Students studying at Grainger Engineering Library.
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...

Academic Success Tips

Student reading a book on the North Engineering Quad.
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...

Starting Your Semester Off Strong

Students study on the monumental study steps area at the Campus Instructional Facility CIF
By: Emily Joyce, SCS Advising Leader As we begin to dive into the Spring 2023 semester, it is easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of new classes and catching up with friends as coursework begins. However, this is the most crucial part of the semester where it is important to take charge of your schedule and plans to set yourself up for a successful semester. Taking time to plan your days, classes, and studying will put you on the right track to staying on top of all your classes and make you less likely to fall behind as your workload and other responsibilities increase...

Set Yourself Up for Success in 2022

Student study in the Undergraduate Library
By Katie Southon, SCS Advising Leader: Winter break is coming: a blissful four weeks of time to relax, recharge and reset. It’s also the perfect time to catch up on things that often get pushed aside when assignment deadlines and exam dates loom. Here’s four things you can do over break to set yourself up for success in 2022. 1. Apply for summer internships/research Take time over winter break to get ahead for next summer by researching and applying for open positions. Don’t know where to start? Handshake and...
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