<p>Hi, I am an incoming exchange student from the UK. </p>
<p>I am interested to know the academic environment at UIUC, especially Civil Eng. How to succeed? Do ppl work in groups for coursework/projects and exam revision or is it more competitive?</p>
<p>I’m new to the university, but in most of the syllabi for my classes they encourage group work. And I’ve already had many people ask if they want to start study groups. So in my brief experience the learning environment is very cooperative. But then again I’m Math and CS. Don’t know about engineering.</p>
<p>Hi, </p>
<p>Where can I find specific information/resources for the classes I have picked? For example, lecture notes, homeworks, exam papers etc Do you have some sort of virtual learning environment? Would you recommend sites like coursehero or *******?</p>
<p>Also can anyone make a comment on how to maximise my GPA (I have already selected 1st term classes).</p>
<p>Finally, do you know anything about tutoring, including math tutoring from the department?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>" Also can anyone make a comment on how to maximise my GPA (I have already selected 1st term classes)."</p>
<p>1) Read the text book before you attend class.
2) For math courses, use the free tutoring services available at Altgeld Hall.
3) Find people on your dorm floor or in class that are really smart and helpful, and
ask them if they’ll study with you.
4) Locate exams from prior semesters and use them to practice/study for actual<br>
exams.
5) Study Sunday through Thursday night.<br>
6) Years ago, I used to buy transcriptions of lectures from Notes-N-Quotes, and<br>
those were really helpful.
7) Use your free-time wisely. If you have an hour of down time between classes,
go to a room in the Illini Union and read or do homework.</p>
<p>Thank you very much :))</p>
<p>Could you comment on conversion of raw marks to grades (i.e GPA). For example, in my school in the UK, the maximum marks for maths exams can be 100%, whereas say for a geology exam only 80%. In other words, some exams are more absolutely than relatively marked. Do lecturers normally ‘fix’ grades, i.e 5% will get B, 10% C etc?</p>
<p>Best wishes</p>