Undeclared at Illinois

11/08/2025

Proud. Resilient. First-Gen. 💪 We’re celebrating our amazing first-generation students today and every day!

▶️ explore.illinois.edu/first-gen-community

08/01/2025

05/15/2025

🎓 Hey DGS Grads!

You explored. You declared. You did the thing. 🙌

Now it’s time to celebrate your journey from undeclared to unstoppable.

💥 Tag us and use in your grad photos to be featured on our page!

Whether you landed in Biology, Business, or somewhere beautifully unexpected—we’re proud of you. Let’s show the world what it means to be a DGS grad! 💙🧡

05/12/2025

Good luck on finals, ! 💙 Whether you're cramming or calmly reviewing (we see you!), here are research-backed study tips to help you succeed:

🔁 Use Spaced Repetition
Science shows reviewing material over time (instead of all at once) helps it stick! Use tools like Anki or Quizlet.

💡 Practice Retrieval
Don't just re-read... quiz yourself! Testing your memory helps reinforce learning way more than highlighting does.

🔄 Mix It Up (Interleaving)
Switch between subjects or problem types. It may feel harder, but studies show this improves retention long-term.

🎧 Ditch the Music (Sometimes)
Lo-fi beats are cozy, but silence often helps with focus, especially for reading-heavy or detail-oriented tasks.

✍️ Teach It to Learn It
Explaining a concept out loud (to a friend or your cat 🐱) is one of the most effective ways to master it.

🧘‍♀️ Protect Your Brain
Sleep, hydration, and short breaks aren't just “nice," they’re necessary for memory and focus. Try the Pomodoro method (25 min on, 5 min off)!

Remember, studying effectively is a skill, not a superpower. You’ve got this! 💪

05/07/2025

❗️NEW ILLINOIS STUDENTS❗️

🎯 Priority Housing Deadline = May 8!
Lock in your spot by applying for housing before the deadline: https://housing.illinois.edu/Apply/New-Resident/How-To-Apply

🏡 Be sure to check out the Living Learning Communities (LLCs). They’re an awesome way to find your people and build community from day one.

✨ As an exploring student, the Exploration LLC is designed just for you: with support, connection, and resources to help you make the most of your journey: https://housing.illinois.edu/living-communities/llc

05/02/2025

It’s and the perfect time to wrap up Global Advising Week with some feel good moments from this week!

One of our advisors, Nashea Williams, shared a moment that really hit home:
“A student told me I could count on them if I needed help with anything—even moving something heavy around campus. My goal is for students to know I'm there for them, but I never expect anything in return. It's nice to know they're looking out for me too.”

And from our Sr Associate Director for Enrollment and Access, Jessica Arnold:
“My feel-good moment of the week has been engaging with all of our incoming students who are excited and asking great questions so they can be prepared to see our advisors this summer!”

These small moments remind us that advising is a two-way street: built on trust, care, and community.

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate this week. Let’s keep the appreciation going all year long!! ✨

DGS advisors, we see you. We appreciate you. You make a difference!

04/30/2025

At Illinois, our global community shines through the curiosity and courage of exploring students and the advisors who guide them! 🌟

We have heard our advisors referred to as "walking encyclopedias." We swear they’ve memorized the course catalog!! 😄

But more importantly, they SEE you. They’re here to help you discover what lights you up and find a path that fits you.

🌍

04/12/2025

It was a FULL house today at Exploratory Studies! Thanks to everyone who attended IlliniFest and stopped by our session. Hope up to see some of you on campus again this summer!!

04/01/2025

Tired of trying to choose a major? Good news! Starting today, the Wheel of Majors will assign one for you! 🎉 No more stressing over decisions—just show up to your next advising appointment, spin the Wheel of Majors, and embrace your destiny. 🌀✨

Possible outcomes include:
🐉 Dragon Taming – Preparing students for the highly competitive medieval job market
🕵️‍♂️ Undercover Squirrel Surveillance – Keeping campus squirrels in check since 1867
🎤 Mumbling in Meetings – Master the fine art of saying things that sound important
🚀 Intergalactic Real Estate – Get ahead of the Mars housing crisis
🦖 Dinosaur Communication – Extinct? Or just misunderstood?
🐸 Frog Whispering – It’s not easy being green, but someone has to understand them
⏳ Procrastination Studies – The syllabus will be ready… eventually
Or our personal favorite...
🛠️ Undeclared Forever, for those truly committed to the exploratory lifestyle

Trust us, we know what’s best. 😉

03/23/2025

🚨 Peer Support Starts TOMORROW! 🚨

You asked, we listened! 🙌 Senior Ambassadors are ready to help you navigate Illinois—whether it’s ICT, registration issues, campus involvement, or just finding support as an exploring student.

Sign up now to connect with a peer who’s been in your shoes! 👟➡️ https://explore.illinois.edu/peer-support