Michael L. Jeffries, Sr. Center for Access and Academic Success

Hello Illini! 👋

As the Summer flies by, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible accomplishments of our First-Gen. family!

✨ What a year for First Generation Student Initiatives! ✨

From building community to celebrating academic excellence, our first‑gen scholars have accomplished so much this year!

🎓 Proud to Be First‑Gen Series
🥳 National First-Gen. Week Celebration
📊 Undergraduate Symposium-First Gen Research Scholars Presentations – April 30
🌎 Panama Program Presentations – May 4

Check out what our First‑Gen Scholars have done this year—growth, leadership, and impact! We’re so proud of each of you!

The team is hard at work planning for the next academic year so stay tuned for even more events, programs, and opportunities coming Fall 2026! 💪

Finals season is HERE 🫶📖

If your brain is feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone!! Take this as your reminder this Reading Day to pause and enjoy a quick study break ☁️

Listen to our latest episode on Study Skills with A&M featuring Stephanie & Alejandra 🎧✨
A great wrap up as this is our final spring episode 🌸🤍

But don’t worry… our summer session episodes are on the way and we’re so excited for what’s coming ☀️💫 Want to get involved? DM us to learn how you can potentially be featured on future episodes!

🎲✨ PLAY & CONNECT RECAP ✨🎲
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the Well-Being Committee’s very first Play & Connect event!! 💛 Let’s just say… there were some winners, some very passionate competitors, and a few “we’ll get ‘em next time” moments.

From Scrabble and Connect Four to Trouble, Pass the Pigs, Happy Salmon, and Uno… the games were competitive, the laughs were loud, and yes, the side eyes and invisible tears made a few appearances 👀

Overall? A night full of connection, chaos (the fun kind), and great energy. We can’t wait to play with or against you all again soon! 🎉🃏

ILLINI, Finals are calling… and we’ve got you 📚✨

Reading Day just got a whole lot easier, stop by the Jeffries Center for Drop-In Tutoring and get that last-minute support before exams! Whether you need a quick review or a full study session, our tutors are here for you all day 💡

🗓️ May 7
⏰ 9AM–6PM
📍 Academic Service Building

No appointment needed, just drop-in, grab a snack, and let’s finish the semester strong 🧡💙

📣 HEY ILLINI 📣
A friendly reminder that Reading Day is IN ONE WEEK, on May 7th. Not sure what Reading Day is? It’s a long-standing tradition at UIUC, a dedicated pause right before finals week to give students time to reset, recharge, and prepare!

Use this day however YOU need:
📖 Catch up on studying
📖 Do some final exam prep
📖 Reset your routine
📖 Or simply rest and recharge

Whether you’re reviewing notes or taking a well-deserved nap, take advantage of this time to care for yourself before the final push.

Sending you all the good energy and good luck this finals season. You’ve got this! 💙🧡📖✨

🔔 COUNTDOWN: One week left!
This is your reminder that the last day for scheduled Advising & Mentoring (A&M) appointments with Student Success Advisors is just one week away. If you’ve been meaning to check in, now’s the time to get it on the calendar.

Whether you need help planning ahead, talking through finals, or setting goals for next semester, your Student Success Advisors are here to support you in the Jeffries Center.

Don’t wait until the last minute, schedule your A&M appointment while you still can. Good Luck Illini! 🧡💙

⏳ COUNTDOWN: Did someone say Summer Break? ☀️
This is your reminder that the Last Day of Instruction is May 6th! We’re officially in the final stretch, Illini. One more week of classes before we swap lectures for finals week… and then hello summer break.

Finish strong, take those last notes, and soak in the final days of the semester. If you need support before finals, consider stopping by and connecting with a Jeffries Student Success Advisor. You’ve come too far not to cross the finish line.

You got this. Finals are temporary, summer is forever 🌴📚