Dorm Areas Illinois Street

Dorm Areas Illinois Street Ah, ISR, home to the engineers and close neighbor of both the Main and Engineering quads. Have you heard that ISR is where hard-studying, non-socializing, awkward types are? Well, you might be half right, but then again, what dorm full of new freshmen who dont know each other isnt a bit awkward? Dont let dorm stereotypes scare you off! Overview:  Certainly, because of how close it is to the Engineering Quad, it just makes practical sense to live at ISR if youre an engineer. Why not shorten your commute to 5 minutes? While engineering students = a lot of studying, generally, the hard classes dont kick in until junior or senior year, so really youre just surrounded by your average college freshman looking for a fresh start with new friends and new heights to conquer. Quick, how many times have I said a word with engineer in it? Well, no worries if youre not one: engineering students are actually pretty spread out across campus, especially freshmen, because like everyone else, they are taking general education classes on the Main Quad. So dont fret! There is diversity in who studies what. Cautions: ISR can be one of the quieter residence halls because it has the most engineers, more upperclassmen than some other dorms, and, although it has plenty of open lounges, people dont tend to leave their room doors open. It  doesnt  provide  as many opportunities to meet new people like PAR or Allen might. The building overall feels a bit older in some parts, and although its close to two quads, its a bit distant from other social hubs like the ARC or outdoor fields and courts. So if youre physically active or are looking to join an intramural sport, youll probably want to look elsewhere. Perks:  ISR is a great location if want to be able to walk everywhere. Classes couldnt be closer, and its also very close to the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, so if you love watching concert performances, plays, and other such features, you might want to live nearby. Even if youre not an engineer, the engineering library, Grainger, is a beautiful place to study that can give you the focus you need to get work done. If youre dedicated to putting school first, youll have no problem finding groups of people looking to study together. ISR is also home to the specialty dining option Taste of Asia. Featuring Asian-style dishes like orange chicken and crispy tofu, they even have a make-your-own Pat Bing Soo, a Korean treat loved by many. It might be a pain on Move-In Day, but like FAR, ISRs upper floors can give a pretty view of campus when you wake up and go to sleep. Check out this video for a quick tour. Again, dont let stereotypes scare you off, but each dorm does have its own vibe, so come visit and see for yourself if you could picture  yourself living here day to day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAE0GA1mK9w James Class of 2016 I’m an Advertising major also pursuing a minor in Anthropology. I’m heavily involved with the American Advertising Federation on campus. I'm from Naperville, Illinois.