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Illinois State University
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Inside Scoop

Quick Stats

School Slang
  • BBC: The Bowling and Billiards Center
  • The Bone: The Bone Student Center, the main student center on campus
  • The Ilstu: Another term students use for ISU
  • The Pub: Refers to the Pub II
  • RA: Resident assistant
  • TA: Teaching assistant
  • Townie: A student who was raised in Normal or Bloomington
  • The Zoo: The student section of the football stadium
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
  • Always keep your student ID and room key on you.
  • Don’t go out every night.
  • Everyone looks forward to the weekends.
  • Frat parties rarely get broken up.
  • Go to class even when the lecture slides are online.
  • Know the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods.
  • Learn the public bus schedule.
  • Learn to manage free time better.
  • Locations of the classroom buildings
  • Make sure to stay in touch with your old friends from high school.
  • Pick a major besides "undecided" because it is harder to switch.
  • Study hard to get a high GPA during your freshman year so that when you have a difficult major class, it doesn't ruin your GPA.
  • Use your money wisely because it runs out fast.
Tips to Succeed
  • Become close with the professors in your major.
  • Become friends with people in your classes.
  • Become friends with your roommate.
  • Carpool with others that live close to home.
  • Don't be shy—be yourself.
  • Don't just study for tests the night before!
  • Eat breakfast before going to class.
  • Get an internship during your junior year.
  • Go to class.
  • Go to professors' office hours or e-mail them whenever you need help.
  • Hang out at Watterson Food Court during freshman year.
  • Hang out on the quad.
  • If you get a job, work on campus.
  • Join clubs that relate to your desired career.
  • Learn the bus schedule and don't be afraid to take the bus when you need to.
  • Read before class—even lecture classes.
  • Spread out general education courses throughout your four years in college.
  • Talk to your adviser whenever you are unsure of a class.
  • Tempting as it may be, don’t go out every night. Freshman year GPAs are hard to raise.
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Illinois State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Inside Scoop at Illinois State University

rsbaker

Graphic Design '12

4.2
A-

Get Involved

One of the things I enjoyed most about ISU was the intramural program and the student fitness center. Intramurals offers many sports like volleyball, basketball, soccer, flag football, slow pitch softball, plus some others. This is a perfect way for any sport lover to become involved and more connect with their school. ISU also offers many sport clubs. The student fitness center is brand new. Many group fitness classes like yoga, zumba, cycle, cardio kickboxing and more. But watch out, the time in between 4 and 7 can get extremely busy. Especially in the beginning of each semester.

Apr 26, 2012

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Inside Scoop at Illinois State University

robinallison

Mathematics Teacher Education '15

4.6
A

ISU

we have such a good party scene. There are always so many choices of parties to go to and everybody is very friendly

Apr 17, 2012

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Inside Scoop at Illinois State University

amballina

Accounting '15

4.2
A-

Illinois State's Uniqueness

Illinois State offers a variety of activities that differentiate it from other schools. This includes circuses, picnics on the quad including slip and slides, floors based on your academic major, dog days where they bring dogs to the quad that you can walk and play with and other activities that allow students to interact with each other and gain new experiences as well as long term friendships.

Apr 09, 2012

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Page 1 of 8
User rating for Illinois State University - Inside Scoop is 4.6 out of 5 based on 24 user reviews.

Facts

Traditions
  • Battle Bird : Before each home athletic game, athletes will touch the Battle Bird. This Battle Bird symbolizes the bond between all of ISU’s past and present student-athletes. This is convenient for many ISU sports fans as there will never be two home games at the same time since the Battle Bird needs to be present.
  • Bradley Bash : Each year, the men’s basketball team plays its state rival, Bradley University. Students come prepared to “bash” Bradley while chanting and holding up signs. This game normally sells out, so for all the fair-weather fans, this is one game to attend.
  • Homecoming: Students, faculty, staff, and alumni come together to celebrate Illinois State University with a football game and parade. Great school spirit and a fun week for all in attendance.
  • ISU Fight Song : After each home football game, the football team will run to the “Zoo” and sing the ISU fight song along with the fans. The women’s soccer team also runs to the stands after each home game to sing the fight song with fans. Therefore, it is a must to know the school’s fight song if you want to participate in this tradition.
  • May Day : The first weekend in May is considered May Day at ISU. This is where numerous fraternities come together and throw a huge party. Local bands and DJs are present, and the entire event is normally free of charge. One of the drawbacks is that students who are under the age of 21 must be on the lookout for cops.
  • Relay for Life : In May, at the end of each school year, ISU holds the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Students who participate will spend the night camping out on the quad and walking to raise money for cancer research. Many students and student organizations participate. Throughout the night, games are played and local bands perform.
Urban Legends Williams Hall is haunted by past librarian Angeline Milner and was featured on the Travel Channel’s "Haunted Campuses."

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Elizabeth Nelligan
Hometown
Lake Zurich, IL
Major
Journalism

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.