Uni

Walking through Uni's front doors for the first time, something felt off. Nothing seemed to be physically wrong, until it hit me; the lockers...they were left open? Apparently, this openness was a norm here. Now turning towards the office, hundreds of handprints welcomed me. This struck me as odd. What type of school was Uni, giving its students an unfathomable amount of freedom? Was I in for a surprise!

Having attended two large public schools, I grew accustomed to the "cookie-cutter" high school experience: academics for 7-8 periods a day, extra-circulars afterwards, and leisure on your own time. Attending Uni was a whole new experience for me, mixing all of these qualities into an old, but lively building. From my first meeting with Doc Walk to where I sit now, Uni has never failed to surprise and impress me.

For example, free and Uni periods have been an blessing, even if I didn't understand them at first (Every time I looked at my schedule, the thought of not having a class freaked me out). Looking back, I don't know what I would do without these periods, allowing me to destress and, ultimately, take UofI classes. Then there's the Lounge. It might as well be my second home; Foosball and videogames will never be the same without it. And, of course, being on campus has been a great privilege, enabling me to pursue my interests in a resourceful and supporting environment. My time spent in Seibal, DCL, and Grainger can only be rivaled by that spent in the Lounge. Whether cramming for an exam, going out to eat, or even exploring campus, there's always something to do here.

Most importantly, my greatest experience at Uni has been getting to know everyone. As a five-time transfer, the idea of friends has never held any special meaning to me. Usually, whenever I would try to get to know my peers, I knew it would be in vain as I would be gone in a year or two anyways. However, at Uni, I've come to meet and know everyone. Running XC, going to events with friends, and having people to talk to has helped me feel part of a family. When I say the Lounge has become my second home, I don't mean the place itself, but the memories and friends I've made there. Reliving these experiences would be a wonderful, and I look forward to the many more I have left to make.

G R A I N G E R & I

While foosing out in the lounge, I realized tomorrow was the due date for my computer literacy project. Panicking, I grabbed my laptop and ran to Grainger Library, the only place I knew I could work in solace. Entering the main lobby, to the right laid the collaborative study space, with students scrabbling on the large whiteboards and complaining about their homework. On the other hand, to the left I found Espresso Royale, with the cafe bustling with students munching on sandwiches and furiously typing on their computers. Meanwhile, I headed towards the elevator and hit the 5th button, sending me to the highest, and most isolated floor, Grainger has to offer.

What I love about Grainger is its uniqueness. From the basement to the 4th floor, you will find a variety of environments, facilities, and amenities suited towards creating the optimal learning environment. There are the computer stations located throughout the basement, enabling students to work directly from the library itself. Furthermore, it's home to one of CITL's testing facilities, a place to schedule and take quizzes, midterms, and finals for your UofI classes. If you just want some peace and quiet, you're free to explore any one of Grainger's 2-4th floors. Dedicated solely to individual study, you will always be able to find a place to work.

The best part, however, is that Grainger is open 24 hours a day every weekday. If you want to pull an all-nighter and finish that MP due tomorrow, you're encouraged to. Or you can get together with a couple of friends and spend the night borrowing a GPU and playing videogames till you drop. The possibilities at Grainger are endless, and time and time again I find myself sitting in that distinct corner on the 4th floor working on essays, projects, and as of recently: college apps.

Right across from Uni, Grainger is easily accessible from basically anywhere on campus. Whether during Uni Period or coming back from my UofI class, the thought of lounging at Grainger never ceases to cross my mind. I've spent as much, if not more, time staring at my computer in my usual spot than I have playing Foosball in the lounge, and that's saying a lot. From the satisfaction of finally completing a HW problem to the relaxation of playing League with the boys, I've made countless memories at Grainger over the two years I've been at Uni. And I'm grateful for that.