Lastly, a good overall resource for student affairs such as the core curriculum, calendars and schedules can be found on the Loyola Academic Affairs website: http://www.luc.edu/academicaffairs.

* How can I do well in class?

A lot of succeeding in college is just basic self-discipline and responsibility. In most classes, you will be given all the due dates for assignments on the first day of class. It is your job to remember when these assignments are due and no one will remind you. No one will force you to study or do homework everyday. You are responsible for yourself. A good idea is to buy an academic planner from Office Depot and to go through each syllabus writing down all assignments into the planner. That way, you won’t miss anything. A high-tech way might be to enter these assignments into online calendars (like yahoo) that can send you reminders a day or week in advance. These are really helpful if you use them effectively!

The best advice is to not fall behind. Keep up with what is given in the syllabus. Do the assigned readings BEFORE the class in which they will be discussed. This reinforces what you read (therefore, better recall later for the test). Reading before the assigned readings before class also allows you to note what was mentioned in lecture but not covered in the reading (especially for science classes).

You should also ask those who have taken your professor for advice. They can tell you what the professor likes to test and how you can do good in the class. If the professor keeps old tests on reserve at the library, definitely obtain these! They can mean the difference between an A and a C.

* Where can I get help with classes?

You can always ask other brothers and sisters for help. They have dealt with the same problems as you are facing and are more than willing to help you succeed. Stop by the Masjid and you will probably find someone.

You should also ask your professors for help during their office hours. Don’t be whiny, but genuinely show interest and the desire to learn. If anything, they will get to know you and can write you letters of recommendation for the future.

As another option, Loyola has a tutoring center in the Sullivan Center. Check out their website at http://www.luc.edu/depts/lac/skills/tutor.html.

* What should I major in if I am a pre-med, pre-health, pre-everything?

Contrary to popular belief, Pre-med is not a major. One thing to consider is that if you do not get into medical school, you will have to find a job with what you majored in college. With that in mind, major in something you like! For medical school, you only need certain courses to apply (general biology, general and organic chem, physics, one semester calculus). As long as you have those pre-requisites, you are fine and can major in almost anything. Popular majors are psychology, mathematics, physics, sociology, philosophy, and other humanities. If you decide to major in something other than biology, try to take at least some upper-level biology courses to help you on the MCAT and in medical school (such as cell biology and genetics).

* What is the purpose of a minor?

Minors allow you to gain experience in a subject that is outside of your major. This allows you to be a more well-rounded person and also makes you more marketable in the job market. For example, let’s say you have a business major who decides to complete a minor in mathematics as well. This gives him/her an advantage over another job applicant who is only business major.

* What are some good places to read/study on campus?

* Selected niches in Damen Hall- 3rd floor computer labs (surprisingly) and any empty room
* Cudahy library- when you enter, keep going straight until you see a huge room with long wooden tables and many lamps. It gets cold in there sometimes though and may make you fall asleep. Another good spot is downstairs in the lower level. Look for some cubicles along one of the walls or go to the periodicals section for another good spot with more room.
* The Masjid (though beware of socializing)

Try to buy books a week or two before the semester starts. That way, you get the best chance at getting used versions of books. Selling books is a different matter. The bookstores recommend selling your books right after finals. Don’t expect to get too much for your books, but Beck’s will generally give you more for your books than Loyola’s Bookstore. Selling on Amazon.com and half.com is a good option if Beck’s or Loyola’s bookstore won’t buy your book.

* Should I live in off-campus housing or on-campus housing?

We recommend that if possible, you should try to live in off-campus housing (whether that be with your parents or in your own apartment). A brother had this to say about living in the dorms:

• “Dorms are generally more expensive when figuring in the mandatory meal plan and housing.”
• “Dorms are loud and there is almost always drinking and opposite gender shenanigans going on.”
• “Find a good muslim friend to room with.”
• “There are no zabiha and/or extensive halal food choices on campus.”
• “Studying in your room can be big hassle with all the activity going on.”

* If I have to live in the dorms, do you have any advice or suggestions?

Here are some helpful tips from some of the MSA members:

• Be sure to register at Regis Hall as it’s the only hall that has private bathrooms
• Try to find a Muslim or someone you know to room with and put them down on the housing application (have them put your name down on the application as well
• Study in the library
• The MSA has many members that live on campus that you can hang out with.
• If you must walk late at night, be sure to bring a friend with you.
• Make sure you establish your expectations early on and password protect your computer
• Get the smallest meal plan allowed. You rarely use the whole thing and if you need more money, you can always add more on it.
• Don’t accept invitations to party. These events usually focus on drinking.
• If you stay on-campus on the weekends, wash your clothes either on Friday/Saturday or early Sunday morning (like 7-8 AM). Otherwise you will be up until 2 AM Monday morning doing laundry.
• Find Muslims on and off campus who stay on the weekends and hang out with them
• See the sights of Chicago with your MSA friends

Final thoughts: All in all, the dorms aren’t that bad, but I wouldn’t do it again. They are overpriced, a lot of haram goes on and you have very little privacy and control over what others do in your room. Roommates can bring guys/girls into the room and other such behavior. Also, be sure to go to the masjid every weekday to pray because it is hard to pray on time in a dorm environment.

* How can I find a Muslim roommate?

EASY! Browse through the listings in the MSA Forums. Contact those that interest you, or feel free to post your own. Also, you can email roomate requests to the brothers and sisters list servs by either contacting:
Brothers: nismail1 [@] luc.edu
Sisters: dizneygurl13 [@] yahoo.com

Click here to browse the LUC MSA roommate listings

• Four daily prayers (Dzuhr – Isha)
• Two Friday Prayers
• A library with Qurans, books of Hadith, and other books about Islam
• Iftar and Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan
• A MSA message board
• Pamphlets and flyers for various events/services
• A microwave and fridge (make sure to label your stuff!)
• A clean washroom area to do wudu
• Gathering place for monthly lectures and other activities
• A place to contemplate, do dhikr, pray, study, or just chill and relax with other Muslims.

* When is the Jumaah (Friday) prayer?

For the Fall Semester, Jumaah will be held in the masjid twice to accomodate for different class schedules. The timings change for daylight savings, so we will let you know when the change occurs.

* When are the daily prayers held in Jamaat (Congregation)?

As of right now, there are no set timings for prayers in jamaat. Usually, you will find some brothers and sisters assembled in the masjid at 1:30 for the Zuhr prayer and around sunset for the Maghrib prayer. For Asr and Isha, the jamaat is usually held when any number of people who haven’t prayed yet assemble and decide to make a jamaat.

• Monthly or bi-monthly General Body Meetings
• Weekly Brothers’ and Sisters’ activities
• Friday and Daily Prayers in the Masjid
• Taraweeh and iftar in Ramadan
• Special lectures from scholars
• Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha dinners
• Weeklong Islamic Awareness Week full of activities (lectures, movies, dinners)
• Fall and Spring Barbeque
• Inter-faith and inter-club activities and dialogs
• Advising for course registration
• Intramural sports
• Other events as they arise

* How can I participate in the MSA?

Come to the meetings! There, you’ll learn about coming events and opportunities to help out. You can also join the Board by running for the position of Brothers’ or Sisters’ Freshman Rep. Attend the meetings or ask your respective advisor for info on how to run.

* How do I get on the MSA mailing list?

Use the link below to sign up. To get on the brothers’ and sisters’ specific mailing lists, please contact the brothers’ and sisters’ advisors.

• The Masjid (duh!)
• Damen Hall lobby- the seats by the escalators on the first floor)
• Dr. Abu-Eledam or Dr. Hermansen’s classes
• CC and DH computer labs
• Cudahy Library

* Best places to eat?

Please call and make sure restaurant still exists before going to it.

• Italian Express
  6340 N Western Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60659
  (773) 761-7700
  Good Zabiha gyros and pizza. They deliver.
• Ghareeb Nawaz
  2032 W Devon Ave
  Chicago, IL 60659
  (773) 761-5300
  Where else can you get a mound of biryani for $2.50?
• Sabri Nihari Restaurant
  2511 W Devon Ave
  Chicago, IL 60659
  (773) 465-3272
  Good Nihari and other dishes. Nice sit-down restaurant.
• Usmania Restaurant
  2253 W Devon Ave
  Chicago, IL 60659
  (773) 262-1900
  Good traditional Indo-Pak food. Also a good sit-down restaurant.
• Pita Inn
  3910 W. Dempster Ave.
  Skokie, IL
  (847) 677-0211
  Good food, though only the Chicken Shawarma is Zabiha.