Tag Archives: advice

Choosing Statistics at Illinois

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Sarah Michalec, senior in Statistics and Economics

Sarah Michalec, Statistics undergraduate ambassador and senior studying Statistics and Economics, reflects on her academic journey and how she came to choose Stats at Ilinois.

From someone who has consistently felt like they were falling behind everyone else, I can finally say that it all eventually works out.

One of my biggest unintentional secrets at Illinois is that I started out as a biology major. Going from biology to now majoring in statistics and economics was a huge jump, but it is the best jump I have ever made. As evident by the drastic difference between being a biology and statistics/economics major, I was very unsure of what I wanted to study in college. In high school, I applied to many schools, several of which I applied to different majors knowing that I will start off somewhere, see how it goes, then make the necessary change of majors if needed. That is how it went for me at Illinois.

To get down into the details of it all, my freshman year was filled with experimenting in different classes. I went through biology, chemistry, business, economics, computer science, and various general education requirements. I did not start to begin to feel at home until my ECON 202 class, Economic Statistics I. It is essentially an introductory statistics class for economics majors that I really enjoyed. Considering I also really liked taking AP Macroeconomics in high school, I decided to continue down the economics path, eventually declaring my major in economics during my sophomore year. At the same time, I heard a lot of good things about STAT 107. I took STAT 107 and it has been one of my favorite courses that I have taken at Illinois! So much so, that it really got me thinking into possibly pursuing a statistics minor, data certificate, or adding a second major. Although I have already spoiled which route I chose, it was a decision that I did not make lightly. By the time I was done with the requirements needed to add a second major in statistics, I was already five semesters into my time at Illinois. However, I am proud of the decision I made and often take the time to think back, as I finish my last semester.

Now here I am, going day by day, studying my two favorite topics and time is flying by. It comes with a lot of peace knowing that I was finally able to find my niche in college. The way I know I made the right choice, is that I truly want to keep learning more. Even when I know I am struggling with the material, I know it will all eventually make sense, and I will see the bigger picture. Sure, there have been classes that I have much preferred over others, but along with learning content, I appreciate the new ways of thinking each class has taught me. I love making the connections between courses and using the knowledge I learned in one class, in another. My ultimate favorite is when economics and statistics overlap. This often occurs in my economics courses when I have to apply statistical methods. It is a very empowering feeling knowing and understanding what is going on behind the scenes when applying the content from an economics perspective.

The biggest reason I am particularly drawn to statistics is how prevalent and essential it is in almost every aspect of the real world. It is thanks to statistics that experiments can be done leading to advancements in fields of healthcare, education, environment, finance, in understanding the current state of the world, and so much more. Statistics provides answers to questions, and as someone who asks a lot of questions about the phenomena of the world, I love knowing that the field I am studying is exactly that, asking questions, conducting research, and using evidence for analysis. My advice is this, no matter how behind you may feel, it is true when they say that everyone is on their own path. You are right where you need to be. Some people figure things out faster than others, but even those who may seem to have it all figured out, still experience doubt. Therefore, you should always focus on yourself, follow your interests, and that is how you will become the best version of yourself.

And always remember, confidence intervals are just like life, 95% confidence is usually good enough. Sometimes, you just have to take the leap.

Course Recommendations Beyond Statistics

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Tyler Yu, ambassador and Statistics major, shares some courses beyond our department that impacted him during his undergraduate journey.

Photo Credit: Tyler Yu

Not every memorable class has to come from your major. Here are some of my favorite courses outside of statistics that surprised me, inspired me, or were just pure fun.

ENGL 220: Literature and Science

I took this class during my freshman year, and it’s got to be my favorite gen-ed to date. We read all kinds of science fiction novels, such as Dawn by Octavia Butler, Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson, and Binti by Nnedi Okorafor, to name a few. Professor Dave Morris was amazing, always bringing enthusiasm and thoughtfulness to class. I could tell he really cared about our essays, and his feedback made me want to write beyond the bare minimum and dive into the complexities of the novels.

What made the class even better were the people. Everyone was excited to share their interpretations and opinions and debate ideas. Professor Morris’ lecture notes and questions mirrored this enthusiasm, bringing up relevant and thought-provoking topics that we built upon together. From discussions on generative AI to reproductive autonomy to the economization of science—there wasn’t a dull day in class.

MATH 453: Number Theory

If you like puzzles or creative problem solving, you’ll probably love this class. While it’s technically a higher-level math course (and now has MATH 314 or 347 as prerequisites), it’s one I’d definitely recommend if you’re thinking about minoring/double-majoring in math or just enjoy logical thinking.

The course isn’t proof heavy—a nice change of pace compared to other math courses— and the content was fascinating, covering primes, congruences, quadratic residues, and more. Homework and exams reminded me of high school math contests, where you must apply the knowledge you’ve learned in class while thinking outside of the box at the same time to solve the problems.

Professor Alexandru Zaharescu is awesome, too. He teaches concepts slowly and clearly, using in-depth examples that make assignments feel manageable. His story tangents are also fun, as his experiences with famous mathematicians were fascinating to hear about.

HK 102 & HK 104: Individual and Dual Activities & Skating Activities (a.k.a. Bowling and Ice Skating)

If you’re looking for a class to be active, meet people, and take it easy, HK classes are where it’s at! I just took HK 102 during the first half of this semester, and it was a blast bowling for 80 minutes a day, 2 days a week without fail. While you do have to pay a $65 fee for the class, the amount of time you get to bowl makes is totally worth it. During first few days, the instructor goes over the basics (rules, techniques, and strategies), and after that, the most classes were either free bowl days or competitions days. You don’t have to be an expert; just show up, play, and improve while making new friends along the way!

I also took HK 104, ice skating, a few semesters ago. It was my first time ice skating, so I was nervous that I’d make a fool of myself, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that most people were also skating for the first time. The student instructors were super helpful, and in the span of 8 weeks I went from being uneasy on two feet to balancing on one foot comfortably. The final project was a creative group dance where we showcased the skills we learned, ending on a positive note.

Both classes were 1-credit hour courses and mainly attendance- and effort-based grade-wise, which allowed me to destress and make mistakes to improve through trial and error. I also met students from all different majors and backgrounds in these classes, and connecting with them over these activities made my experience even more meaningful.

Final Thoughts

Taking classes outside of statistics has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience. Whether it was analyzing science fiction novels, exploring patterns in number theory, or learning how to ice skate and bowl, each course helped me grow in ways that statistics alone couldn’t. So, if you’re a first-year STAT major, don’t be afraid to branch out— take that random class that sounds cool! You never know which class might end up being your favorite.

Five pieces of advice I would give to a first-year student

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Ananth Hariharan

A photo of undergraduate student Ananth.

Senior Ananth Hariharan, majoring in Statistics & Computer Science, shares some reflections for students beginning their college journey.

There’s so much more to learn from college than just what we get from our classes. Here are a couple things I wish I took more seriously as a first-year student now that I’m a senior. It pretty much boils down to a simple motto: try stuff out. Hopefully some of these specifics resonate with you and help make the most of your college experience!

1. Explore every opportunity! (responsibly)

Don’t wear yourself out, of course – but if anything looks interesting to you, try it out! We often come into college envisioning a certain life for ourselves, from what we’re going to be involved in to where we’re going afterwards. Just about everything, from my ideas about grad school and career to the people I hung out with, changed so many times based on new experiences. Whether it’s involvement in RSOs, joining a research group, or taking an unrelated class, every step out of your comfort zone is a way to learn more about yourself. The projects you do and the people you meet almost always help to figure out what does and doesn’t work for you, all with the freedom to walk away whenever you want.

Photo Credit: Ananth Hariharan

2. Don’t rush!

Overloading on classes to graduate early and taking waivers to skip classes should be done with caution. Personal and family constraints aside, having an attitude of ‘just trying to get over with things’ is one that overburdens and underserves the point of college – I’ve had to learn this the hard way on more than one occasion. Living a little bit more in the moment gives you the time and mental space to learn a lot more while enjoying all that college has to offer. For most of us, college is the time with the least real-world commitment and the most freedom, so make sure you’re giving yourself enough space to chill out and have some fun. Try to visit the museums on campus, attend concerts at Krannert, and visiting Downtown Champaign or Urbana during a festival – it might just unlock something new that you never knew about yourself.

Photo Credit: Ananth Hariharan

3. Get around campus!

There are so many unique spaces around campus, from music halls and gardens to ‘hidden’ study spaces and lesser known libraries. We have a 6,370 acre campus, so there’s much to explore beyond the buildings we attend our classes in. Finding a new place to hang out or study can also introduce you to so many new people with very different backgrounds from yours, which only enlivens the college experience. Try walking into an open building you find, say hi to people, and see what you learn!

Photo Credit: Ananth Hariharan

4. Like something? Make a project about it!

As students majoring in fields pretty much dominated by virtual tools, it’s easier than ever to bootstrap a project. Especially as a first-year student, when it may feel like you’re locked out of most opportunities, there’s nothing quite like building something yourself based on what you’ve learned in class. You’ll often learn a lot more than you would just through coursework by having complete control over designing a project using your knowledge of statistics. With access to huge datasets online, along with a good deal of foundational tech and stats knowledge, there’s every opportunity to do something meaningful with your coursework. It’s an easy way to start building your resume as well, as it shows off your ability to build something to professors and recruiters.

Photo Credit: Ananth Hariharan

5. Make (and keep) friends outside your major!

It’s natural instinct to stick to hanging out with friends whom we share most of our classes with, but as most people will tell you, many of the most interesting conversations and perspectives you get are with people of majors radically different from yours. This is easiest as a first-year student since everyone lives side-by-side in the dorms, but it’s easier to maintain that when you’re part of non-academic RSOs or have roommates in different majors. It can also be a source of balance when you’ve got a stressful week and a source of gratitude when things are the other way around (and likewise for them too, I’m sure they’d be relieved knowing they don’t have to take your midterms).

Photo Credit: Ananth Hariharan

Mental health, stress management, and self-care

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Statistics ambassador Charlotte Sampson writes about taking care of yourself and managing your stress. You are more than your academics, and it’s important to protect your mental and physical well being!

College can be a very stressful time. You have to adjust to a completely new environment and lifestyle while also managing the pressure of keeping up with your coursework and planning for your future.

All of the changes and responsibilities that come with this period of life can feel overwhelming. Learning how to deal with the stress and taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining happiness and success.

Here are some tips and tricks for mental health, managing stress, and self-care!

Photo credit: Charlotte Sampson.


1. LEARN TO BALANCE
When you are learning how to manage your workload, it can be easy to forget that your life is not just school. Make time to nurture all aspects of your life, otherwise you will probably end up feeling overwhelmed and burned out. Push yourself enough so your grades don’t suffer, but not so hard that your relationships and mental wellbeing suffer – it’s not worth it! Learning to find balance can be a long, difficult process, it’s okay if you have to experiment and learn some lessons along the way. However, it is key to feeling and performing your best, so learn what works for you!

Photo credit: Charlotte Sampson
  1. TREAT YOUR BODY RIGHT
    One of the most important things I’ve learned is that your mind can’t perform at its best if your body isn’t getting what it needs! Put your health first, school comes second. Be mindful of what you are putting into your body, how much you are exercising, and your sleep.
    My mental health improved significantly when I started paying attention to what I was eating. Fuel your body with plenty of nutritious foods and drink water! Making sure you are getting enough nutrients makes all the difference in your energy levels and focus.
    I take care of my mind and body by trying to have some form of movement daily, even if that is just a short walk outside! Exercise is a great way to clear your head and take your focus off whatever is stressing you out. I often feel like there isn’t enough time to exercise, but I find that even walking to class boosts my mood and energy levels. It doesn’t have to be long – just make some time in your day!
    The best thing that you can do for your mind and body is sleep!!!! You won’t be able to get anything done if you are exhausted, and the lack of productivity will only make you feel more behind. Sleep is essential for your mood, energy, and overall health. Prioritize your sleep, anything you haven’t finished can wait until the morning.
Photo credit: Charlotte Sampson.
  1. NURTURE YOUR MIND
    Make time to do things you enjoy! Come up with something you like to do and try to do it every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Bonus points if there isn’t a screen involved! Whether that be reading a book, drawing, writing, going outside, seeing friends – anything that takes your mind off your responsibilities and helps you relax can have a huge impact on your mood. I try to read every night before bed and recently I have been enjoying coloring. I really enjoy reading because it takes my mind off my own life and gets me involved in a different story. Writing can also be very helpful to work through things that are affecting you, it will leave you with a clearer and calmer mind. My favorite thing to do is to go outside, something about being in nature just makes me feel better!

    Another important part of nurturing your mind is building a support system. Surround yourself with people that make you feel happy, loved, and supported. Don’t be afraid to let go of anyone or anything that weighs you down, prioritize yourself and your well-being!
Photo credit: Charlotte Sampson.
  1. GO EASY ON YOURSELF
    Finally, don’t be so hard on yourself – you’re learning how navigate this new chapter of life! Give yourself permission to relax and listen to your body. Take a break if you need it, your schoolwork will still be there after you rest.

    One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is not to compare yourself to others. You are your own person, and your path is your own. Comparing myself to my peers had me constantly feeling like I was behind. Remember, life is not a race, and there is no rush to figure out who you are or what you want!

Setting Up for Success in the New Semester

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Helen Wu, junior in Statistics, shares her advice for starting the new semester off strongly and making the most of your time on campus.

Photo credit: Helen Wu.

Hi, my dear friends! I hope you’ve enjoyed your Christmas and had a great winter holiday! Now it’s time to gear up for a brand-new semester — yayyy, so exciting! Let’s dive into some tips to help you plan and slay this semester! 

1. Plan Your Schedule Wisely 

As a junior looking back, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is balancing ambition with realism. At the start of every semester, it’s tempting to pack your schedule with classes, research, RSOs, and personal projects. But remember: doing too much can lead to burnout, and doing too little might leave you feeling like you’re not making the most of your time. My personal strategy is to write down 10 things you want to achieve and then choose the top three to focus on first — things that align the most with your long-term goals and bring you the most value. Cross out the rest (you can always revisit them later) and realistically list out how much time you’ll devote to each.  

Warren Buffet’s Two Lists Strategy; from goalplus.org

Regarding class schedule, discussing with upperclassmen and advisors to craft a realistic one could save you huge trouble. It’s always wise to have some wiggle room in your schedule than to drop classes halfway due to the overwhelming workload, a lesson I learnt the hard way after taking four major courses and found myself drowning in midterms. Just like Rohan mentioned in his earlier blog post, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Perhaps college is not even a marathon, without a destination or predefined route; it’s more like an adventure where one is free to explore. 

Also, celebrate milestones regularly and reward yourself for the progress you’ve made so far. Planning ahead something exciting for spring break, like a fun trip or a relaxing getaway. Whenever I felt drained or uncertain, the thought of an upcoming adventure always lifted my spirits and kept me going. College is about growth, not perfection—so give yourself room to breathe, explore, and adapt.  

2. Start Early and Apply Bravely

After listing out your top goals, if it involves any application-related activities, like RSO, internship, or academic research, it’s better to apply early, since the position is limited and mostly are evaluated on a rolling basis. Many academic labs and companies are actively recruiting at the start of the semester. Be proactive and don’t shy away from cold-emailing professors or professionals. Remember, rejection is part of the process, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!

Snow blankets the campus during a winter day during the holiday break in January. Everitt Laboratory is visible in the background. Photo taken at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (Photo by Fred Zwicky / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

Also, talk to peers, upperclassmen, and graduates to get insights and advice. Learning from their experiences can point you in the right direction and even uncover hidden opportunities. From my personal datapoint, a great proportion of my friends including myself secured an internship through connections.

Additionally, there’ s lots of campus resources out there! So, subscribe to departmental newsletters or weekly emails — they’re treasure troves of information about internships, research projects, and other opportunities. For example, Statistics majors can explore programs like the Undergraduate Research Experience in Statistics (URES), Illinois Mathematics Lab, or IRisk Lab for research experience. Additionally, LAS offers the ATLAS internship program (Applied Technology for Learning in the Arts and Sciences), where students can gain fantastic industry experience and a chance to work on exciting projects.

3. Relax! Take it easy.

College is all about discovering who you are and what you’re passionate about. Attend events, make new friends, join clubs, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. Don’t stress too much about sticking rigidly to your plan, not sticking to your plan, or having no plans at all. Don’t blame yourself for that! Working out a plan is already a huge progress and a great witness of your aspiring heart, just take a little step closer and see what comes next. Life happens, and sometimes the best opportunities are the unexpected ones. It’s totally okay to adjust your goals as the semester unfolds.

Main Library Reading Room on Reading Day. Photo taken at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Photo by Craig Pessman / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

You got this! Let’s make this semester an unregretful one. Good luck and all the best, my friends!

Favorite Non-STAT courses!

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by Ricky Lin

Ricky is a 2nd year student in Statistics & Computer Science, shares some of his favorite courses outside of Statistics that he’s experienced so far! Read on for some great insights and recommendations.

Everybody has to take their major classes. But when you have the option to choose a gen-ed or just take a class for the fun of it, there are so many awesome options to choose from. This is where the breadth of college comes from, and getting a well-rounded education comes into play. Here are a few of my personal favorites!

BTW the gen-eds double dip in two requirements, so if that’s something you are looking for, register early since spots are limited!

Photo credit: Ricky Lin

TE 200 Introduction to Innovation

Although this class is restricted to LLC residents, if you are in one or want to apply for one, I’d definitely recommend it! I was part of the Innovation LLC in the Technology Entrepreneur Center and it was a fun environment where I met some cool people! It’s a 1-hour seminar class, where there are weekly readings and class meetings are mostly discussions. You learn about successful entrepreneurs and the keys to success to start from a simple idea to a full-fledged start-up. I took it with Keilin and she was super nice to talk to. I’d definitely recommend talking with her if you have any ideas related to entrepreneurship in general.

However, the most interesting part of the class is participating in the IDEA Fair, which is a project pitching competition where students prototype their ideas and judges award money. Getting to brainstorm and work in a group is interesting, and puts your creativity to the test. Last fall, my team (PATH) secured the $500 AWARE award and it was a great experience!

Ricky (far right) and teammates with their award from the IDEA fair. Photo credit: Ricky Lin.

ArtJ302 Intro to Japanese Animation

One of my favorite gen-eds at UIUC is ArtJ302. It’s an online synchronous class run via Zoom, but that doesn’t take away from its engagement and awesome material! Professor Lindsey Stirek was very passionate and nice about the material. She gave us a great overview of anime as a whole and how different techniques are employed to illustrate ideas. Often in class, we just watched classical anime like Akira and Afro Samurai.

The best part of the class was the final, where we had the freedom to create a video essay, animation, or any medium related to the topics we learned in class. I just made a video essay on Attack on Titan, but I was blown away by the talent of some of my classmates’ animations. Definitely highly recommend this if you love anime or just want to see what the hype is all about!

Afro228 Hip Hop Music: History & Culture

This class is the latest gen-ed I have taken, and has definitely taken me by surprise. When I signed up, I expected the class to be interesting because I enjoy listening to rap, but I became increasingly invested in the origins and backstory behind the music. The professor, John Meyers, loves what he teaches, and explains things in a critical way that shows you why they are important. It’s not a memorizing date or people type of class, but rather more cause and effect and how the industry has changed over time. In class, we often listen to artists like Public Enemy, 2Pac, Nas, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem.

We also get exposed to social issues in the East and West coast, which are key components of the sound of rap. It’s a sophisticated and rather complex class that encourages further thinking, so if you want to engage with American hip-hop culture and learn about how it has evolved over time, look no further!

To conclude, I’d recommend taking classes that interest you rather than spend time simply fulfilling a requirement for the sake of doing it. Steve Jobs dropped all of his technical classes and took a design calligraphy class just because he thought it was interesting, and the rest was history (this is an exaggeration, but you get the point). Sometimes taking less classes to enjoy college is the way to go—you only go to college once.

One thing to keep in mind is that at first, nothing really makes sense. Everyone is trying to figure life out and what they want to do. But be open to new experiences and give things a try, and when you look back the dots will connect. Go for that business, graphic design, or computer science minor you’ve been thinking about. Why not? I hope this has given some perspective and wish you all the best of luck for registration

Favorite Statistics Courses

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by Mia Paelmo

Looking for recommendations on STAT courses? Want some insights on what certain STAT courses might offer you? Read Mia’s thoughts below on her favorite STAT electives she’s experienced so far!

When I first came to Illinois I remember the first thing I received during my orientation was a recommended schedule for statistics courses I should take each semester. The first few semesters listed the required courses (STAT 400, STAT 410, etc.), but the remaining half semesters simply said ‘ STAT Electives’. I remember not having any idea which courses to take, but as an incoming freshman I thought ‘Oh well it’s still too early, I’ll worry about that when I need to’. News flash! College goes by faster than you think, and before you know it you’re on Reddit a few hours before your registration slot trying to figure out what the best elective is. Don’t get me wrong, Reddit can be a very useful source when picking out certain courses, I know I have definitely used it in the past. However, it would have been nice to get advice from a friendly face, someone I could trust. And that is exactly who I am going to be for you! Today, I will be recommending two of my favorite statistics electives I have taken throughout the past 4
years.

STAT 385 – Statistical Programming Methods
The first course that I always recommend to statistics majors is STAT 385, also known as ‘Statistical Programming Methods’. I loved this course, and personally think that it should be required for the major because of how useful it is, not just in real life but in other statistics courses as well. This class is basically an introduction to R and RStudio. You will learn data transformations, how to use base R functions, and you will be introduced to many different packages. And while that is all fun and exciting, I think the main reason why I recommend this class to others is because it helps you become comfortable with R and RStudio. After I took STAT 385, I was in STAT 425 and 426, which are two required courses for the major. In both classes, I did most of the assignments in R, and both of the professors did in class examples using R. In fact, I think I have used R and RStudio in almost all of the higher level statistics courses I have taken. So yeah, as a statistics major here at Illinois, it’s good to know R and RStudio. And while the content in STAT 385 is more about programming rather than data analysis in R, I think I was more comfortable using R/RStudio in my other classes because of my experience in STAT 385. I think this is a very well-developed course where you learn many useful tools, and I always recommend this class to anyone who is starting to think of what electives to take. It sets up a good foundation as you start to take more higher level and applied statistics courses.

STAT 432 – Basics of Statistical Learning
The second course I would recommend is STAT 432, also known as ‘Basics of Statistical Learning’. I took this course the spring semester of my junior year, and I enjoyed the content and structure of the class a lot! In this class you will learn about supervised and unsupervised machine learning. You will learn different algorithms such as logistic regression and classification trees, and you’ll use R (see, I told you!) to create models for each technique. I loved this class because I found the material super interesting and it was the first class where I felt like I was using my skills for real life application. It did not just feel like another college class where I had to get assignments done for a grade, I genuinely wanted to build models and understand how they worked. I also think when you have a passionate professor, they can project that passion and interest onto their students. When I took this class in the spring, Professor Gökçe
Dayanıklı taught it and she was very thorough with the material and always valued the feedback of the students, which I think was a great aspect of the course! The final project encouraged us to collaborate with others, develop different models and evaluate their performance, and summarize our findings in a written report. Overall, this was a well-rounded course that offered real life application for both technical and practical skills, I highly recommend it!

To wrap up, I think all of the statistics courses offered at Illinois are exceptional! And while I do recommend looking into the two courses I discussed today when registering for classes, it is important to remember that the purpose of electives is to further explore topics that interest and excite you. I’m glad I was able to share my experiences and I hope this post gave you a little more insight on a few interesting courses we have in this department!

Study tips, academic resources, and productivity tools

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by Carrie Song

Carrie, a junior majoring in Statistics, shares some advice and tips for finding academic success while maintaining balance in a busy semester.

As we’re getting towards the middle of the semester, the excitement of school getting started might be fading away and it’s perfectly normal to feel stressed about assignments, midterms and other tasks. Whether you are just getting started on your college career or one semester away from graduating, here are some tips I find particularly helpful to make life and studying easier.

Rest
Yes, it might sound crazy but taking a break from time to time when doing intense studying can help you concentrate better. This could be zoning out for 5 minutes after finishing a problem set or going grocery shopping in the middle of the day just to take your mind off work. Personally, I love grabbing a boba and taking a short walk late in the afternoon, it relaxes my brain in a way that I can focus and be more productive when I get back. Also, try not to stay up too late at night, especially during weekdays, as not getting enough sleep will somewhat affect your ability to concentrate on the next day –trust me, you don’t want to fall asleep in lectures and having to make up the contents all by yourself towards the end of the semester.

View on the South Quad. Photo credit: Carrie Song.

Practice Regularly
In most STEM classes, the key to success is generally not how smart you are, but how much time you are willing to dedicate to practicing. Doing homework problems independently, organizing notes, working collaboratively with a study group… all these things are super helpful when you’re trying to get a satisfactory grade in a certain class. Having trouble understanding some of the class material? Go to o ice hours! The course staff are there to help students succeed in class. Even outside of class, there are resources that will help you succeed in classes such as the C.A.R.E. tutoring held by the Grainger College of Engineering. Make sure you understand the basic information or concept for a certain topic before you dive into the problem sets, plus constant review of these information will allow you to be more familiar with the subject.

Get Organized & Plan Ahead
Things can get really messy if you have 4 or 5 classes going on at the same time, especially when each one of them has assignments due at a different time. One thing I find particularly useful dealing with it is that I would filter out the big assignments (ones that gives you a longer period of time to finish), and spread them out step by step, making sure I’m constantly working on instead of forgetting its existence until two hours before it’s due. For the works that have weekly due dates, I tend to dedicate a time slot for them in each week and try to finish them during that time slot. This allows a sense of regularity in the messy schedule and in some way, makes a habit. Another thing I find helpful is to have an estimate of how much time you need for each task and give yourself some extra time to finish that task in case something happens. This way, you’ll be unlikely to forget about something and therefore have a higher chance in succeeding.

Hard at work! Photo credit: Carrie Song.

Change Study Spots
When you’re tired of your old study spot, go somewhere else and see what else you can find! I find it helpful especially during finals week and everywhere is crowded. A change of environment can be refreshing to the brain and get you back to focusing. Some of my favorite study spots are the ACES Funk Library, the Psychology building and the Illini Union!

The Funk ACES Library. Photo credit: Carrie Song.

With that much being said, it’s eventually up to each individual to find out which way works best, and I hope the strategies I’ve taken in the past could be inspiring to you and help ease some of that stress. Nevertheless, I’m sure you’ll do amazing in the semester, best of luck!

Five Pieces of Advice I Would Give to a First-Year Student

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by Alyssa Anastasi

Alyssa shares some advice for new students at Illinois.

  1. There is not one “set path” to achieving goals
    It is really easy to compare your own journey to others and think that what you are doing is not enough or not the “right” way to achieve your end goals. Something that I’ve learned over the past 4 years is that there is no right or wrong way to go through college, get an internship or job, and achieve your goals. An eye-opening experience I had was at my first internship where the head of the Data Analytics team was an English major in undergrad! It really showed me that what happens in undergrad doesn’t define exactly what will happen in your life and career. When I came in freshman year, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I started as an Elementary Education major who then switched into Statistics, and then switched to Statistics & Computer Science.
    My path is definitely not the typical path of a Stat&CS major, but I have still been able to experience internships and opportunities that I have been passionate about and learned so much from. As long as you are doing things that you feel passionate about and are proud of what you accomplished, there is no right or wrong answer for what you need to do to get the opportunities that you want!
  1. Build your Network
    When I first started college, everyone always told me that building my network was important, but to be honest, I never took it seriously or understood why it was important. Now, as a senior, I understand that building a network allows you to meet more people, learn about opportunities, and even gain opportunities in RSOs or internships that you wouldn’t even know about without them. If you’re feeling nervous and wondering where you even start building your network, I would recommend first meeting people and making friends with students from all years in your major. It can be helpful to know people within your major to take classes with and get recommendations and resources from. Then, I would network with professors, especially ones whose research is an area of interest to you. You can do this by attending office hours, asking questions, and even becoming a course assistant for classes you enjoy. I would also recommend attending career fairs to speak to recruiters and current employees to gain insight into the positions they have.
STAT 107 course staff. From left: CA Alyssa Anastasi, Professor Karle Flanagan, Professor Wade Fagen-Ulmschneider, TA Arghya Chakraborty, and CA Helen Wu. Photo credit: Alyssa Anastasi.
  1. Take Advantage of Campus Events and Resources
    One of the best things about college is that there are so many events, opportunities, and resources available just for students! College is unique in the sense that everything you need is available within walking distance. On campus, we have access to McKinley for doctors’ appointments, the ARC for the gym, and the second largest academic library in the country, just to name a few! There are also many ways to meet people and explore interests like intramural sports through Campus Recreation, RSOs (academic and hobby related), and part time jobs. In my time at Illinois, I’ve worked at the Ice Arena (I love to ice skate), on tech crew at Krannert Center (I hung lights for plays and musicals), and as a course assistant for STAT 107 (#datascienceduo). There are also so many things that I would recommend experiencing at least once to get the full Illinois experience. Some of the top items from my list are: going to an Illinois football and basketball game, seeing a show at Krannert, attend a barn dance, and see the cherry blossoms at Japan House!
    Attending a football game at Memorial Stadium. Photo credit: Alyssa Anastasi.
    1. Go to Office Hours
      Office hours are the BEST resource if you are struggling in a class. Office hours are hosted by professors, TAs (typically graduate students), or CAs (typically undergraduate students) who have expertise in the material. They are there to help support your learning and can walk you through homework assignments, midterm review, and anything related to the class! I know it can be scary to go to office hours, but it is always worth it!
    1. You deserve to be here!
      You got into UIUC for a reason – you are deserving and belong here just as much as anyone else at UIUC. No matter what your experiences are, imposter syndrome can affect everyone. Even the people who you think would never experience imposter syndrome, probably do in some way. Through your time here, it is really important to know that you are fully capable of doing anything you want to, from passing a hard class to securing an internship! It is easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, but the only thing that matters is that you are happy and you feel successful! College is about YOUR experience, and it is so important to remember that!