Four years ago, I was asked by Illinois Undergraduate Admissions to join a student blogging team. This blog, they said, would reach college seniors in their search for their collegiate home. Writing has always been...
Author - Rachel
It’s Not Goodbye—It’s See You Later
Dear high school seniors, I wish I could give you back your ABC countdown, prom, and senior ditch day. I wish I could give you one last game under the stadium lights. You were cheated and robbed of some of the best high...
Making a Dorm Feel Like Home
Anyone else have parents that never let them redecorate their room? I did! When I moved into campus housing, I had my first opportunity to decorate my room from the ground up. As a veteran reader of the Magnolia...
Welcome to My Book Club Part II
To follow up on a post from October, Welcome to My Book Club, I have two more exceptional books that every incoming freshman should read. These page turners will keep you captivated, keep you on your toes, and keep you...
A Guide to Acquiring Textbooks
These days, college students are faced with an impossible task: purchasing textbooks. And with the purchase of textbooks comes a boatload of questions. Today, I hope to not only address the most common questions about...
Keep On Keeping On
“One day, you’re 17 and you’re planning for someday … … And then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life.”—John Green...
Attending an i-Program
Illinois Leadership Center This past school year, I had the opportunity to attend two different i-Programs through the Illinois Leadership Center. These programs focus on what it takes to be a great leader. The programs...
Freshman Year Friendships
Maybe it’s the 50 degree weather in Champaign, maybe it’s because the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team is tied for first place in the Big Ten Conference, or maybe it’s because graduation is...
Post-Admission Campus Visits
Congratulations, future Illini! You’re in! Whether you have committed to the University of Illinois or you are waiting until decision day, a post-admisison campus visit is worthwhile for all prospective students...
Should You Bring Your Car on Campus?
One of the most common questions I am asked is whether students need to bring their car with them to school. And the honest truth is that, well, it depends on a few things. Parking Photo from Pexels.com Parking can be...
The Best Local Restaurants for Friends and Family
At this point, I’ve just about eaten my way through the Champaign-Urbana community. And let me tell you—I’ve had some great food. I’ve also had some not great food. This will be my second, or better...
Does Anything Go? Tips for Writing Scholarship Essays
Know your audience. Keep in mind that scholarship decisions are made by a committee often comprised of academic advisors, deans, and professors. Guide your essay towards this audience in a way that makes the information...
Putting Preparation to Practice
For the first time in 17 years of schooling, I wake up each morning excited to go to school. And not just any school, but a local middle school. That’s right—read that again. I wake up excited to go to middle...
Living Off Campus
As a senior, I feel as though it is my personal duty, mission, and responsibility to debunk common UIUC stereotypes. I could tell you that dorm food is actually pretty tasty, that class sizes aren’t always 400 students...
Welcome to My Book Club
I can’t remember the last time I read simply because I wanted to get lost in a book. With hours of academic reading assignments adding up, I could feel my passion for reading slipping through my fingers. But this...
How To: Express Advising in the College of Education
A Glossary Express Advising: a non-scheduled appointment with an academic advisor. Express advising is available in the first two weeks of the semester. During this time, students can drop in and be seen on...
The Prime Time to Visit Campus
As a high school junior, college visits can become overwhelming. Finding the time to travel to a university and schedule a tour isn’t always easy. Simply deciding when to visit a campus can make a huge impact on...
De-stressing During Finals
This time of year, students and professor alike are feeling the stress of final exams. Believe me, this semester has been hectic to say the least. It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of academia, but it is just...
The First Snow of 2018!
Today marks the first snowfall in Champaign-Urbana for the 2018 year! While some will choose to bundle up and stay inside with their hot chocolate (a perfectly fine choice), there are so many activities in Champaign...
Welcome, Dads!
There’s nothing quite like Dads Weekend at the University of Illinois. Family from near and far gather on campus in celebration for Illini football, great food, and a lifetime of memories. Here are a few of my...
