Northern Illinois University

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NIU isn’t for everybody. It’s a school in the middle of nowhere with a large student population and a less-thanstellar academic reputation. Make no mistake: there are times you will feel like crap if you come to NIU. They will often be spurred by observing or attempting to talk to the meatheads who come to college to party and dropout in a year or two. It can be tough to avoid being affected by that mindset, or the parking, or some of the ancient facilities, or the difficulty of registering for classes, or the—well, you get the idea. The toughest part is getting through the first year. Dorm life can be hell, with small rooms and obnoxious floor mates. On top of that, you can’t take classes in your major until late in your second year. You will probably end up thinking of transferring or quitting school all together at least once. However, in the end, the positives far outweigh the negatives. The people are down-to-earth and not the stuck-up brats you might find at a school like Northwestern. There is always a bar or party or concert to go to, no matter the day of the week. It’s also remarkably affordable when compared to other schools in Illinois and nationwide. Oddly enough, NIU can grow on you. Life in DeKalb becomes a lot more bearable when are eligible to move into an apartment, and once you get to know your teachers and get involved your educational experience at NIU can turn into something special (and just wait until you are 21). It isn’t a perfect institution by any means, but most students come to appreciate their time at Northern Illinois University in the quiet farm town of DeKalb.

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Health & Safety at Northern Illinois University

tbug93

'15

English

2.7

C+

Ehh.

NIU isn't horrible, but now that I've been here for almost a year, I kind of wish I had went to a different school. It's really pretty here though. :)

Feb 09, 2012

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Academics at Northern Illinois University

kp18

'13

Elementary Education

4.6

A

Not for the Faint of Heart

Elementary Education at Northern is definitely not easy. The workload is pretty intense. They are changing the curriculum to help prepare students better for getting a job and teaching. The professors have taught in a variety of schools and settings, so they bring real world experiences to the table. The clinical hours and work that needs to be done really helps you understand the challenges you will be facing. It also gives you real world experience before you student teach.

Feb 07, 2012

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Overall Experience at Northern Illinois University

Kmart09

'15

Physical Therapy

5.0

A+

Love It!

NIU has so many ways to be involved. If you can't find something for you, you just aren't looking hard enough. The environment is very friendly, and most classes have passionate professors.

Feb 06, 2012

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