Move-in is done, your parents officially left, and now you are sitting in your dorm room thinking, “wow, college is real… what do I do now?”. Don’t panic because here’s your guide to college at U of I to make your freshman year a little easier! Keep reading for some great ideas on planning, where to study, the go-to places to eat, and how to stay on track of your health!
Those classes will come full speed soon, so try your best to stay on top of all the different assignments you need to complete and keep track of important deadlines. Sure planners are cute and all, but actually using them to best help you manage your time is the real win here. Writing down everything will help you remember deadlines, social events, and aid you in planning ahead of time so you can enjoy your college experience! Great places to study that are on campus is the UGL (Undergraduate Library), Communications Library (underground and low-key), and ACES (spacious and very quiet). Other places that are great for “escaping” school life and studying are: Brew Lab (calm coffee shop vibe) and The Union (great for light homework and socializing).
Now you’re going to get hungry, maybe all the time, but the dining hall food is just not going to cut it sometimes. Here are some places with yummy and affordable dishes when you are getting tired of dining hall food: Sushi Rock, Maize, Vinny’s, D.P. Dough, Spoon House, and Brothers 25¢ Wing Deal on Wednesdays. These places are guaranteed to satisfy those cravings that the dining hall can’t! Curious to find out about more awesome food places? Just head down Green Street to discover a wide range of other amazing places to grab some grub!
This next part may sound contradicting but college is all about balance right? From running around the quad class to class, attending club meetings, and socializing, it is important to take care of your mental and physical health before hitting the Freshman 15. Yes, the freshman 15 is a real thing. The University of Illinois has great resources to take care of yourself and stay in shape. There are two big recreational centers on campus, CRCE and ARC, and then smaller hidden ones inside your dorms as well. Finding out if your dorm has one, can be beneficial if you are not comfortable working out in a big facility. Being physically active not only helps your body, but also your mental health. Balancing out your new, fun college life to take care of yourself will make your college experience better! U of I clubs love its students. During finals week, there are de-stress activities some clubs hosts, such as mediation days. Some libraries hand out de-stress kits, that contain mints, gum, pencil, and coupons to food places! All types of things happen during finals week to make the week go faster and smoother.
Don’t let the movies fool ya! College is an amazing experience, and managing your time, budget, and taking care of yourself is key to making your freshman year the best year!