Graduate and professional students, including online students, are invited to enter the 2025 Image of Research competition. Submit a photo related to your research, scholarship, or creative work, and a short (100-200 word) narrative to communicate how the work has impacted you or others. Images can represent your work either concretely or abstractly. Awards are given for first ($500), second ($300), and third place ($200) as well as people’s choice ($100). If you are looking for inspiration. See details.

Need a little holiday joy during finals week? Call Dial-A-Carol! Since 1960 our  students have been singing holiday songs to callers from all over the world in the name of spreading joy and kindness. Call 217-332-1882 between December 12 – 18 to request your favorite holiday tune!

It's a busy time of year! As you take care of all of the end-of-semester items, remember to take care of yourself as well. Come take a break at the Grad College (507 E. Green St). Room 105 is set up with puzzles, tea, and cocoa through finals week. BONUS: coming here provides an opportunity for a walk. Also check out, wellness.illinois.edu, a hub for campus resources for ongoing support or help in a crisis situation.

It's finals week. To help you get ready, we asked Kamau Grantham, a clinical counselor at the Counseling Center by day (DJ KamauMau by night!), to share some of his favorite tracks to help you get ready. Listen to Kamau's playlist on Spotify.

Attend FREE group fitness classes during finals week, available for you to relieve stress! See the schedule on our website and register at active.illiniois.edu. Spots limited. 

Are you looking for a part-time job for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2025 semesters? Come to the Illinois Part-Time Job Fair, 1-4 p.m., at the Illini Union. It's a great opportunity to build your career competencies, gain work experience, and earn some extra money. All positions are paid part-time positions on campus or in C-U area. F-1 visa students can apply for campus positions. This is an informal fair. Casual attire is acceptable. Registration is encouraged but not required. To learn more and to register, visit Handshake.

Graduate College Career Development is open during Winter Break and ready to meet with you! Our career advisers specialize in the needs of grad students and postdocs, and they can help you revise application documents, prepare for interviews, get ready to negotiate, explore new career paths, develop a job search strategy, and more. Appointments are available in person or on Zoom. 

Finish the semester the "write" way! Our hybrid writing group provides grad students with dedicated time to make progress on any writing project in a supportive atmosphere. Each meeting consists of a short goal-setting conversation, quiet writing time, and a concluding reflection and wrap-up. Register to join us for our final week!

Now that the semester is over, take some time to reflect on your writing schedule and routines! This workshop will include tips for starting and maintaining a writing routine, cultivating effective habits, and forming a successful writing group. Dissertation and thesis writers from any discipline—and at any stage in the writing process—are welcome. This virtual event is open to U of I students, faculty, and staff. Please register with your University of Illinois email account by 11:59pm on 12/16, and we will send the Zoom invitation on the morning of the event.

What is your favorite food memory from your childhood? Join us to create a lotus-fold artist book, and let's make your book tell your favorite food memories from your childhood. During this in-person workshop, we will explore a new book format and share your story! The artist guides you through the step-by-step process of folding this book format, ideal for personal storytelling. By the end of the session, you'll have a beautifully crafted book that reflects your own food-related narrative and is ready to share! Lunch provided. All ages, families, and communities are welcome! 

Japan House will be open from 2 – 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17. Please stop by and have a bowl of tea and sweet at our Holiday Matcha Café and browse our holiday sale items! Walk-ins welcome!

McKinley Health Center serves on-campus students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

The University of Illinois Counseling Center provides mental health counseling and well-being education for students. 

If you or a student you know may need support with their basic needs or financial stressors, please reach out.