LAS Insider blog for prospective students

HEAR DIRECTLY FROM CURRENT STUDENTS & RECENT GRADS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF LAS. In the LAS Insider blog, students and alumni share their personal stories and insights throughout the academic year at the University of Illinois. Get an inside look at what it's like to be a student in the College of LAS.

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AdmissionsCampus life

Daria Zelen with friends at a football game

The moment I chose UIUC

To combat my stress levels regarding choosing which university to attend, I began visiting all the schools I was accepted to. I was lucky enough to have a friend already attending UIUC, so I made plans to stay with her for a weekend to aid in my decision-making process.

AcademicsUndergrad research

Connor Barnes presents at the 2021 History Showcase.

How two history students are researching topics they're passionate about

Connor Barnes and Zackary Landers are history majors working on completing research on topics including U.S. perceptions of Latin America through film and urban space in Black Chicago. We met with them to discuss their recent participation in the first History Showcase.

Academics

How I’m pursuing my passions at U of I

UIUC has given me the resources, support, and mentors to find and cultivate my passions as a writer. With organizations like ATLAS and the Humanities Professional Resource Center, as well as amazing classes and internships, I’ve been able to try out different roles and focus on the experiences that truly fulfill me.

AdviceCampus life

My favorite place to de-stress

In observation of National Stress Awareness Day, we asked LAS students, "What is your favorite place on campus to de-stress?" Read what they had to say.

AcademicsCampus life

A student talks to a professor outside the English Building

My favorite humanities moment at UIUC

To celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month in October, we asked students studying the humanities "What is your favorite moment related to your major?" Here's what they had to say.

Campus life

3 misconceptions I had about moving to a college town

My decision to move from Chicago to a campus town like Champaign came with many worries; however, after spending time on campus I realized those worries were just misconceptions.

Campus life

Five under-the-radar places to visit in Champaign-Urbana

When I was picking between colleges, one factor I considered was the number of fun activities in the surrounding area. UIUC ended up being the perfect balance between the city and small-town lifestyles.

Campus life

Students walking on the Quad during LAS Liftoff

Students recap their favorite moments from the first month of the semester

Now that we’re a month into the new school year, we asked ten LAS students what the first month back on campus has been like. The return of in-person classes, fans at football games, and walks with friends on campus were among their highlights so far.

Illini success

My internship has allowed me to experience many facets of medicine

Natasha Najam is a rising senior working towards a behavioral neuroscience psychology degree with chemistry and integrative biology minors. In a Q&A, she discusses her summer internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Illini success

3 things I’ve learned from my VGE internship

Jayne explains her experience with VACorps, an internship program based in Cape Town, South Africa, where she is working directly with employees of AFRODAD. "My project is opening my eyes to the debt crisis in African countries."

Illini success

Learning on the job

Simon Kaplan is a senior studying comparative literature and classics at the University of Illinois. He is spending the summer brushing up on his Greek and engaging in research with the Book History Lab at the University of Athens through the Greek Studies on Site program.

AcademicsCampus life