Welcome to summer! The different cadence of this part of the year can offer space to recharge. While campus is definitely quieter in the summer, there are still many opportunities to build connections and community, to care for yourself, to pursue academic goals and professional growth, to explore new activities or habits, and of course, to find moments of fun and relaxation. And don't forget, the Graduate College is open all summer. Reach out to us at grad@illinois.edu or make an appointment for academic success coaching, career development advising or thesis advice any time.
Campus Connections
Learn about cultures and languages, try international snacks, or learn new games every Wednesday with International Education – you are welcome whether you are a domestic or international student!
Join the Illinois Summer Band (you can join for just June or July, and you can even borrow an instrument, if needed) or attend the Concerts on the Quad on June 25 and July 23.
Put on your dancing shoes and take a student taught class from the Illini Ballroom & Latin Dance team focused on Rumba, Waltz, Bolero, Foxtrot, and more! The first class is free and no dance partner or experience is needed.
Take a one credit Health and Kinesiology class – HK104 "the ice skating class" is offered over the summer.
Bring a blanket and a picnic for free Summer Movies on the Quad Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m. Grad Society of Women Engineers will be there some weeks - check their Instagram for info.
Visit Krannert Art Museum or Spurlock Museum of World Cultures. (Suggestion: try regular short visits over a lunch break or look for events like Krannert's Knit & Sit or Spurlock Book Club.)
Intensive English Institute will host its ConvoPartners program and is looking for people to have casual English conversations for at least one hour each week.
Enjoy bowling, pool/billiards, pinball, air hockey, table tennis, chess, DDR at the Illini Union Rec Room - it’s open every day!
Venture out to Allerton to explore trails, gardens, and offerings from concerts to educational workshops.
Health and Wellness
Stop by the Sustainable Student Farm Stand Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on the Main Quad outside the Illini Union from the last week of May until the week before Thanksgiving break. Sign up now for a weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share.
The ARC will be open all summer and will offer group fitness classes and indoor and outdoor pool hours. You can also rent outdoor gear from Campus Rec for camping or kayaking or other outdoor adventures.
Custom cooking classes can be arranged in the ARC instructional kitchen for groups by request. Grab a group of friends or lab mates to learn to cook something new.
Grow your own produce at the Orchard Downs Garden Plots. The season runs through October. Register, gather your tools and materials, and dig in!
The Campus Rec Food Assistance program will be open on Saturdays over the summer. The Basic Needs Office is available all summer and can help with a range of needs including food resources.
McKinley Health Center will be open for summer hours May 18 - August 21: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays).
The Counseling Center is open all summer offering individual counseling, urgent appointments, and group counseling including a Graduate Student Therapy Group, an Older Students’ Therapy Group (for students 25 and older) and Graduate Student Women’s Group. Call the Counseling Center at 217.333.3704 for more information on these groups and others.
Self-care vending machines in Grainger Library, ACES Library, and the Illini Union will be available with a variety of supplies including bandages and pain relievers.
Academic Support and Growth
Attend the Faculty Job Search Application Materials Intensive on May 27 to jumpstart your preparation for the faculty job search.
Hone your writing with The Writers Workshop writing retreats and biweekly writing productivity groups. Starting June 15, you can schedule written feedback, in-person, or video call consultations to receive feedback on your writing.
Explore workshops from CITL on digital accessibility, Generative AI, and more.
Learn a new with language with the Rosetta Stone mobile app.
Are you working on a thesis or dissertation this summer? Join the thesis workspace for guidance and resources.
Check out the expertise and tools the Research Data Service offers for organizing, storing, and sharing your research data.
The University Library is open, and there is plenty of space for students to study or hang out if they need a spot. Visit a library that you haven’t explored yet (check locations and hours) or take advantage of the family study room or media studios.
Community Fun
Check out the Summer Reading Programs (for children and adults) at Champaign Public Library and The Urbana Free Library. (And remember, the University Library is open, and the collection includes popular fiction, children’s books and audiobooks through the Libby app.)
Join the Trails Challenge and get outside and explore the beauty of the Champaign County Forest Preserves.
Get your hands dirty by volunteering at Sola Gratia Farm or Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery.
Do you love a carnival ride, fair food or prize-winning animals? Explore local fairs and festivals.
Take advantage of Champaign and Urbana Park District programs for adults and/or children, including boat rentals, Crystal Lake and Sholem pools.
Listen to local music at free concerts: Champaign Friday Night Live and Urbana Neighborhood Nights.
For more community events - including concerts, crafting workshops, and community hikes, check out the Experience Champaign County calendar of events.
Andrea Bridges is the Director for Graduate Student Wellbeing and Community. Andrea earned degrees from Gordon College and Duke University. You can often find her in the garden or at a youth sporting event.
