Feels like home: Tips to help you get comfortable on campus
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has more than 14,000 students and offers around 70 different majors. Nearly all - 99.6 percent - Illinois students
take a class in LAS during their time on campus.
The College of LAS’ size provides plenty of opportunities, though some students wonder how to make a place so big feel like home. Fitting in is easy, considering our campus is lucky to be so diverse. Many students find their niche by the end of the first month on campus and already have established friendships.
The biggest factor in succeeding at Illinois and making friends is simple. Getting involved is the first big step. Think about what you like to do for fun, then find out where the other students who like the same thing are located. This university has plenty of clubs to join. If you don’t see one that fits you well, you can make your own after gathering a couple of other friends to start it!
When you get to campus, don’t be afraid to be yourself. When you are, it’s easier for people to be themselves. And, make an effort early. I met other students on move-in day. You should also attend events that the campus puts on for students, like LAS Liftoff, Quad Day, Convocation, Welcome Days, and more. These are some of the first opportunities to meet some new people before class begins.
As soon as class begins, sit near the front of your classrooms and be eager to learn. Building relationships with professors can seem intimidating at first, especially if you’re in a large lecture hall. After the first day or even the second day of class, I go up to my professor and introduce myself to him or her. That makes it much easier whenever you have questions or need to email them because they will remember you easily.
Professors want to know who you are and most of them will tell you that on the first day of class. Do not be afraid to say hello to your professors if you ever see them walking around on campus! They will be the biggest help to you, especially if you ever need letters of recommendation for future jobs.
After I met my advisor for the first time, he made sure to tell me to take LAS 102, Transfer Advantage, with him. This orientation class was optional to new students but highly recommended! This allowed me to get to know him further and ask him questions as I went through my first semester on campus. He was super helpful and was always willing to answer any questions I had.
My favorite things about being on campus include long walks on the Quad, the student atmosphere, and the resources offered. The Quad is absolutely beautiful in all seasons. Late night walks there with some Starbucks and great friends is always a great way to relax after a long class or exam.
The student atmosphere is my favorite part of campus because there are people everywhere! Tons of new people to meet, talk to, and hang out with. Green Street is the place centrally located on campus which has all the major food establishments. Green Street offers McDonald’s, Panera, Panda Express, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and much more. This is a great place for students to hang out in between classes and grab some food with friends.
Our campus offers great resources for students in the College of LAS, which include but are not limited to, The Writers Workshop and the Career Center. The Writers Workshop gives good insight to students struggling with a paper they need to write and will also give good feedback. The Career Center provides many resources including setting up your access to campus’ online internship and job board, mock interviews, and resume critiques.
All in all, the College of LAS is really a home away from home because it offers all the help and services you could possibly need to succeed in college and as you prepare to graduate.