University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

Definitely the weather (I'm so guilty of it too). Make sure you're prepared for all types of weather- bring a heavy coat for when you have to walk to class, and remember that the buses sometimes get too full to stop for you when the weather is bad and you'll be stuck walking. Bring gloves, hats, scarves, and double up on everything because it's devastating to lose something like that when it's bitterly cold. Also, bring an umbrella and have good shoes or boots for walking in the snow and rain, or one pair for both. Warm socks are great in the winter, as well as slippers. And in the early fall and late spring, the dorms can get very very hot if you're in the majority of the dorms without air conditioning. Bring fans!!

I think what students complain about most is the workload here. Depending on the classes you take, several tests, projects or papers may all fall on the same week. The workload here may be difficult, but classmates and professors are always open to help students. Many students form study groups together and professors often answer emails late at night just in case a student is struggling with a certain assignment.

I think most students complain about an increase in online components to classes. A lot more classes are incorporating online activities, homeworks or even labs. I think it's only a problem right now because the systems are new so the kinks are all being ironed out. Most of the time people have no problem with them.

The weather and the workload. But neither of these will change. They go with the territory of going to University at a top notch school in a frigid part of the country.

I can't stay students have a lot of complaints. I would say the main complaint is that some Professors seem to care more about their research than students. Many classes are large when you are a freshman and sometimes a sophomore and this creates a sense that you aren't receiving personalized attention. However, I never had an issue with this because you can go to office hours and meet the professor. Also, the teaching assistants provide a great deal of knowledge and insight about the topic of the class, and most of the time are excellent. If you seek out your Professor or TA, you will receive the help and attention you need in classes.

I think it really depends on what your major is, where you live, and what your personality is! A lot of people complain about the rain and the weather, especially in late fall. It's central Illinois. Cold, windy, rainy/slushy/snowy--that's our winter! My advice: bundle up, and don't be so much of a hipster that you think you can survive in a flannel shirt and some ridiculous furry hat. You'll be shaking in your skinny jeans, boy. Hat, gloves, waterproof coat. Just bite the bullet. What's the use in looking cute if you're freezing to death? But if you're from like northern Minnesota or Canada or something, you probably will think it's nice here. Feel free to dress as you will. From day to day, most students just complain about homework, like any other self-respecting college kid. Like I said in some other post, the workload here is intense at times, but definitely not overwhelming or impossible for most people. Just budget your time wisely and keep up with your classes. If you skip lecture all semester, you're digging your own grave come finals week. Sometimes some of my friends complain about getting the runaround from their advisors. Depending on your department, some are more helpful than others. Be aware of this, and know what questions to ask before you go into your appointment. Don't just look for your advisor to tell you exactly what to do. They have a lot of students to worry about. On the other hand, they have a responsibility to help you when you need it. Know the difference between when you're being treated unfairly and when you're just being unrealistic in your expectations. Finally, parking. SO EXPENSIVE!

I find that most people are talking about how annoying it is to get to class, especially if you live in any of the residence halls. Typically, it's about a 10 minute walk to the "Quad," the location where most campus class buildings are located. And I'm referring to the closest residence hall to campus and engineering campus, Illinois Street Residence (ISR). The other halls are about a 15-20 minute walk to the Quad. That's why it's essential to utilize the bus system here. There are a couple of useful routes to get you where you need to go in about 8-10 minutes. However, with everyone taking the bus, that creates space problems as well. Often times, they are really crowded, and you'll have to squeeze your way on just to get to class on time. Another issue that comes to mind is the pathways to these classes could get very cluttered as well. Considering that a good number of students skate or ride bikes to class, there are minor accidents that occasionally occur because there's just not enough space sometimes. Granted, there are bike paths, you'll be introduced to a brand new annoyance in your life... people who walk in those bike paths.

I know it sounds trivial, but the thing I have heard most students complain about is the weather. If you are used to the crazy ups and downs of Midwestern weather, you at least know what you are getting yourself into, but for those who are not from around here, the weather can often be a shock. When students arrive on campus, it's sweltering hot. Temperatures in August are often still in the 90s, and humidity levels are high. Add this to the fact that not all residence halls have air conditioning, and the heat can become unbearable (fortunately, they are working on getting AC in every dorm). On the opposite spectrum, we have freezing winters, with temperatures that often drop below zero. Each year we get hit with at least a couple of feet of snow. There are also usually a few ice storms mixed in. In the middle, we have fall and spring. Honestly, you can never know what to expect. One day it is sunny and beautiful, the next you are pulling out your winter coat again. We always seem to get more than our fair share of rain during these seasons, and tornadoes aren't unheard of. It takes some getting used to if you aren't from around here, but honestly, a little bad weather isn't too bad to deal with in the grand scheme of things.

But I think students at all colleges and major universities complain about school work, it kind of comes with the territory. I will not lie, you will have to work as a student at Illinois, but the homework load is by no means anything that you can't accomplish successfully. There is definitely time to become involved socially while still maintaining good grades - you just have to practice good time management skills so that all of your long-term work doesn't pile up around finals time!

But I think students at all colleges and major universities complain about school work, it kind of comes with the territory. I will not lie, you will have to work as a student at Illinois, but the homework load is by no means anything that you can't accomplish successfully. There is definitely time to become involved socially while still maintaining good grades - you just have to practice good time management skills so that all of your long-term work doesn't pile up around finals time!

But I think students at all colleges and major universities complain about school work, it kind of comes with the territory. I will not lie, you will have to work as a student at Illinois, but the homework load is by no means anything that you can't accomplish successfully. There is definitely time to become involved socially while still maintaining good grades - you just have to practice good time management skills so that all of your long-term work doesn't pile up around finals time!

I think what students complain about most is the workload here. Depending on the classes you take, several classes tests, projects or papers may all fall on the same week. The workload here may be difficult, but classmates and professors are always open to help students. Many students form study groups together and professors often answer emails late at night just in case a student is struggling with a certain assignment.

Students complain the most about the weather. It changes like the wind here. One second it could be sunny and wonderful, the next, raining and windy. Which is why you bring an umbrella everywhere you go. However, winter is the biggest complaint because since the campus is so large, you have to walk in snow or a bit of ice is you are living in campus town. But we all get through it and the bus system is a miracle when it is bad outside.