Navigating campus

By Emily Sokolik

One of the first days of my freshman year, I couldn’t find the Quad. The second day, I found myself wandering University Avenue and had to ask a “townie” to point me in the right direction. Getting around campus for the first few weeks didn’t come easy.

When I finally did locate the Quad, I wish I had taken advantage of the campus information desk in the northwest corner of the Union. All questions about the campus and community can be answered there and I hear they carry a supply of maps. Unfortunately, I was never good with directions.

Another place I can’t say I’ve visited enough is the Turner Student Services Building on the corner of Sixth and John streets. I did go there last year when I legitimately missed an exam because of the flu but couldn’t get my professor to excuse me. I paid a visit to the Office of the Dean of Students on the third floor and explained the situation. A dean e-mailed my professor and made everything better. This is just one of the many services offered at Turner. They also provide free counseling services, financial aid information and a career center.

Losing your University i-card is especially frustrating for those living in the residence halls since it’s the only way to get food. I think I’ve lost my i-card at least three times. Luckily for me, replacing a lost i-card is not such a big deal. The ID center on the second floor of the Illini Union Bookstore is the place to go. The ladies who work there are pleasant and get you in and out quickly. But taking a photo and coughing up $20 for the glossy piece of plastic tends puts a damper on my day.

I’ve found students to be a good resource for getting questions answered when all else fails.Most people have been around the University long enough to tell you where to pay tuition or the best studying spots. These days, I can find my way around campus with my eyes closed. Not that I’ve tried it. But if you can’t find the Quad, I’m the one to ask.

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A few offices located at Turner Student Services Building you may find useful when you arrive:

  • Campus Information Services
  • Counseling Services
  • Financial Aid and Student Employment Services