University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

My freshman year was fine. I was actually a senior in high school, yet a freshman in college. I was doing the dual study program.

My freshman year was fine. I was actually a senior in high school, yet a freshman in college. I was doing the dual study program.

If I could tell my high school self one thing it would be to put more emphasis and hard work into my academics. If i knew then what I know now I would be in less student loan debt. I would also tell myself to apply to those dream schools instead of letting my HS Counselor enroll me in Community College because they didnt think i would make it. If I could tell myself one thing it would be to work hard, have fun, but remember education is key.

When I first arrived at college, I wish that I had known the bus routes. As a freshman, it was intimidating to explore the campus because the campus was so large. Not only was the size of the campus large, but the bus system was also complicated. The color-coded bus maps were extremely hard to read because there were so many overlapping routes. However, as weeks passed, memorizing the bus routes eventually became extremely useful. By knowing the bus routes before college, it would have allowed the freshman class to be more oriented and comfortable with the campus.

It´s almost exclusively in-state students, so if you're looking for a more diverse group, Illinois might not be right. But it does offer a very wide variety of interesting majors and extra-curricular activities, so there is certainly no shortage in academics or social life aspects. The Greek system is also completely overpowering on the social scene.

I wish I would have known of the resources available to students. Sometimes students learn the hard way about all of the tools at hand for academic success. One critical skill students need to learn is how to ask for help. Had I known about the overwhelming support I had from faculty and administrators, I would have finished my degree much earlier and with greater success. Even though the University of Illinois has over 44000 students, they do a lot to give individual attention to each students. It is the student’s job to find and use those tools.

I wish I had known about everything the school has to offer so that I could take advantage of all of its opportunities. I wish I would have checked in with my counselor more for advice on classes.

I wish I had known that there were so many resources available to students that many people don't know about. The resources could range from help with writing to free printing in certain cultural houses to free tutoring.

I wish that I had known in high school to take 4 years of spanish because having to unexpectedly take spanish for 3 semesters threw off what I had planned to take. My counselor in high school told me I only needed to take three years of spanish, but my high school spanish classes did not prepare me at all and I had to start over once I got into college. Also, I wish I had known how to study better and focus before going into college.

I wish I had known what area of study I wanted to focus on. I jumped around a lot before settling on one. Illinois allowed me to explore many areas of interest, but I could have easily double majored if I had been a little more organized earlier on.

Last year in April, I received a letter in the mail informing me that I had not been accepted into the university I wanted to attend the next fall. I was crushed and devastated, and had to settle for a school I wasn't as interested in. I spent all of my summer worrying that I wasn't going to enjoy my time there. But now, already into my second semester at this school, I can proudly say that love being a student here. I wish I had known that everything happens for a reason and it all works out.

High school does not prepare you for college, at all.

I wish I had known that the weed out classes were very difficult and not to take them until I was more used to college life.

To explore everything and not be afraid to try new things. It is important to find something you are interested in and take advantage of all the amazing and free resources campuses have. Yes, you are a freshmen, and yes everyone knows, but embrace it and live it up! Really all the sophomores, juniors, and seniors are just jealous you are a freshmen because they wish they were just beginning college. This is the best opportunity of your life and you need to milk it for all its worth. Don't be afraid of anything and definitely be prepared to embarrass yourself once in a while.

College is nothing like high school. Don't get behind, at all, because it's extremely hard to get back on track and come out with a good grade. And if you've overloaded yourself with classes and credit hours- and can't handle it- DROP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TALK TO YOUR ADVISORS. Everyone is different and some people can handle more credits and harder classes than others- just don't get in over your head. Success is vital.

I wish I would have known not to worry so much. In high school, I was used to receiving perfect grades on my assignments while here I would struggle to do so. I used to get frustrated when this happened but now I use it as a learning tool. In addition, I wish I had known to take better notes because unlike in high school, one does not normally get a study guide but instead one most look over their notes to decide what to study

You can't be everyone's parent. Sometimes your friends from high school will change, and you won't want to be friends with them. Sometimes they won't want to be friends with you. It isn't possible for you to worry about your friend's struggles and your own. You'll just tire yourself out. People have to make their own mistakes. Remember that no matter how hard it is to watch someone you care for fall apart, if they don't want help the best you can do for them is take care of yourself.

I wish I had known how to say no, I just don't have time to do that. I wish I had known more about my major. I wish I had known more about careers in environmental fields.

I wish I had known more about specific colleges and majors at my school. I started out in Chemistry, but then switched to Nuclear Engineering. In high school, the classes are all very general and not like the choices of majors in college. It would have been useful in deciding what I wanted to study if I had a glimpse of what it would be like beforehand.

I wish I had known I to better organize myself before I came to this school. It is sometimes challenging to balance everything in my schedule. Doing homework, getting involved on campus, and having a social life surround many college students lives. However, I wish I would have known how to organized my time in a productive manner. Overtime I have learned that by simply making a schedule I can manage my daily tasks more productively.