When it was time to start my freshman year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign there was a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was excited to start a new chapter in my life. On the other hand, I was terrified knowing I had a new sense of independence and could explore a new environment. During my first semester at Illinois, it was hard and discouraging when I felt that. I was getting a different treatment than others and nobody would talk to me. It was very intimidating having to prove I was capable and worthy of being in the same class.

In our college careers we will all go through at least a couple of job interviews, and it’s no secret that the interviewing process requires practice, and a few tries to really get it down. Being a senior now who has gone through a few interviews myself, there’s a few main takeaways I have from my own experiences and those around me.

One of the most beautiful things about college is all of the different paths that people have taken to get here. No matter how you ended up at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, there is a common goal among most people here: to graduate with a degree in something they are passionate about. Olivia Messerges, who transferred to Illinois as a Junior after completing a year of community college in her hometown, did exactly that. 

To those first-year students, welcome to campus! And for those returning, welcome back!

As the fall semester approaches and I prepare to begin my fourth and final year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I’ve found myself reflecting on the very beginning of my college journey. It was the summer in between junior and senior years of high school, and I was the first of my siblings to go to college, so this whole process was very foreign to me and my family.