State FFA Convention 2010

Where is your next 'home'?

So, you've been admitted to the University of Illinois and you have finally decided on housing. For some, it may have been a tough decision while for others it may not have been a big deal.  How did you decide where you will be spending countless hours studying, sleeping, and basically just hanging out?

Well, the University of Illinois has a lot of options for housing including: dorms, certified private housing, Greek housing, and apartments.  For more information visit University Housing at http://www.housing.illinois.edu

Since I am a transfer student, I'm sure the dorm life was a much different experience for me than if I had lived in the dorms at U of I. I lived in the dorms my freshman year and absolutely loved it, the picture on the left is of my dorm room.  

My dorm hall was a tight-knit group of friends.  No one would guess at one point we were all strangers.  Still today, even 100 miles apart, I talk to many of those individuals.  In fact, my suitmate is one of my best friends (we had two rooms to one bathroom, so the students in the room we shared a bathroom were called our suitmates). The dorms are a great option because you get to meet so many people.  As an added bonus most of the dorms include cafeteria food, which also means not having to leave your dorm when it is 5 degrees outside in the Champaign winter!

Sophomore year, I moved off campus into a townhouse.  This was not part of University Housing and I honestly regret this decision.  Living off campus I did not feel as involved in organizations because I would have to drive into campus for extracurricular activities. I'm a very social person and while living off campus was not able to interact as much with my friends because we were very spread apart.

Junior year is when I transferred to the University of Illinois.  I joined a sorority and lived with 55 other girls.  That seems like a lot, but it doesn't feel like this many girls are in one house.  A sorority is a great option if you are looking for sisterhood, service, social life, and academics.  Of course, I might be biased on the sorority life but I feel it makes a person well-rounded.  Some sororities on campus do not have houses and this may be an option for you as an incoming student.  Now, going Greek isn't for everyone and this is understandable. 

Now, it is my senior year and where am I living? Well, I'll be moving back into the sorority house to not only live with one of my best friends, but 54 others! The photo to the right is part of my pledge class in the sorority on an ice-skating event. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with the new members who will be moving into the house in August.

That is my personal experience on housing, now where will you be living?

Pineapple Wine?

The University of Illinois is usually known for students on campus, but what happens when summer rolls around? Wine Tasting! The University of Illinois hosted the 2010 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition in the College of ACES Bevier Hall on June 7-9.  According to the June 9, 2010 Daily Illini the competition is not held at the state fair for reasons such as the advantages to having a controlled environment at the University.

A total of 407 different wines were tasted by 12 judges.  Wines included the traditional zinfandel and ranged to pineapple! Prizes include a gold, silver, and bronze medal to each category of wine and these winners can be found at the Illinois Wine site.

This is just one example of an event that takes place on the U of I campus.  During the school year, entertainment and events occur all the time.  Every weekend (and pretty much every night) there is something to do on campus.  Even during the day walking to class you will probably come in contact with some sort of out-of-the-ordinary happening.  I'm sure you've all heard of the tightrope walkers on the quad, right?

What's with all the ORANGE bags?

This is an exciting time of the year for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Why? Well, as most of you have visited the campus already it’s time to return to the University of Illinois and register for classes!  

Orange bags (which you receive upon arrival) seem to appear everywhere as I walk across the quad. Most of you should have already signed up for a day to attend the campus and register for classes. During the day you chose, you will meet with an advisor to discuss the courses that fit best with your major.  

The day is also an opportunity to obtain your Student ID card, also known as an i-card.  Your i-card is used for multiple things such as: a gym pass, bus pass, discounts at restaurants in the area, library card, meal plans, and could even be used as a bank card! It is important to keep your i-card on you when attending classes for identification purposes.  For example, I had test in one of my classes that needed my University Identification Number (UIN) and also a picture ID and the i-card fulfilled both requirements.

During registration day you also will meet individuals within your major.  Take advantage of introducing yourself and getting to know others, that way you already have a friend and who knows, they may just be in the same classes as you!  

Registration day at the University of Illinois is something to look forward to. You will be able to do all the things listed above and also familiarize yourself with the campus.  It is a busy day but don’t get overwhelmed, there will be plenty of time in the fall to familiarize yourself with campus! 

What day are you coming to register and if you’ve already completed that step, what are your Fall 2010 classes?

Why ACES?

Are you considering the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences? If so, this post is for you! I have been at the University of Illinois for a year and am positive I made the right choice with the College of ACES.

There are 8 departments within the College and over 40 majors and concentrations available.  Concentrations within the College range from Family Studies, Ag Accounting, Urban Forestry, and 42 others.  There is a concentration for almost any area of interest.  The departments available are listed below:
-Agricultural and Biological Engineering
-Agricultural and Consumer Education
-Animal Sciences
-Crop Sciences
-Food Science and Human Nutrition
-Human and Community Development
-Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
-Division of Nutritional Sciences

Worried about the large classes and being a 'number' rather than a 'name'? Well, in Fall 2009 the College of ACES had 2,433 undergraduate students and 981 academic staff.  That equals out to 3 students per academic staff.  From my personal experience, professors are genuinely interested in the students and their future plans.  The classes are a size that allows professor interaction and class participation.

Need something to do besides class? Academics are the main focus at the University of Illinois.  However, the College also encourages extracurricular activities.  There are over 25 students organizations within the College of ACES and at least one of these is sure to be of interest to you.  Clubs range from livestock judging teams to Agriculture and Consumer Economics Club (ACE Club).

Worried about school in financial terms?  Over $1 Million in scholarships is given out for the College of ACES students.  These scholarships are academic and need-based.  Students are strongly encouraged to apply annually for these awards.

So, if you are looking for a top-ranked school with award-winning professors and many extracurricular activities, the University of Illinois, College of ACES is for you!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Insight to ACES blog! My name is Abby Coers and I am a a senior in Agricultural Communications at the University of Illinois.  As mentioned around the site, this blog is to inform individuals about the College of ACES.  Comments are encouraged on any blog I post.  If you would rather send me a message, that option is posted on the right side of your screen.

Before moving to Champaign last fall, I read many blogs that were posted on the U of I admissions page about the university overall.  These blogs informed me of what to expect when coming to college and it also reminded me of approaching deadlines.  This blog will do the same but it is especially designed for incoming and prospective College of ACES students.

I think it is important for future and prospective students to know everything needed about the College of ACES because this is your future.  Another reason I think it is important to have somewhere to ask questions and voice concerns is because just last year I was in your shoes.  Yes, I am a senior but I am also a transfer student. 

I clearly remember being lost on campus, walking into my first 'big' lecture, and sitting next to individuals I did not know.  The blogs I read prior to arriving on campus reminded me other students were in the same situation as I was my first few days.

After the first few weeks of attending the University of Illinois I was already familiar with the campus, the 'big' lectures didn't seems so big anymore, and those strangers I sat by, well, those are now some of my best friends.  The campus may be frightening to look at from the outside in, but soon you will realize it is full of great opportunities!

Once again, don't hesitate to leave a comment or send a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.  I encourage each you to become a follower, subscribe to this blog, or just request information from the University.  Whatever you do, I am there to help!★