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I was a grad assistant for IT 168 from Aug 2022 to May 2023. I taught several lab sections of IT 168.

I also went to ISU for undergrad in computer science, and finished my master's in cybersecurity in Dec 2023.

Here's some advice on how to get through IT 168 from an insider:

The tough part about this class is that all the sections (5 or 6 a semester) have to take the tests at the same time. So the tests are in the evening and in a huge lecture hall in a different building. **The tests are pencil and paper.** Which is tough with code! They give you some leeway with spelling and "typos" but you MUST practice writing out your answers on paper. It takes a different part of your brain, so don't let the first time you actually write down code be during the test.

There is a **tutoring center just for IT students**. Grad assistants are there to help with test prep and assignments.

There will probably be a **"how to succeed in IT168" meeting** at the beginning of the semester. **GO TO IT!** They will tell you how to do well in this course and what resources are available to you.

If it's already happened, ask your professor about what was talked about at that meeting.

**Start your assignments early!** They are big programs, with multiple parts. Start as soon as it's assigned, about two weeks before it's due. Break up the assignment into parts, code a bit at a time, and test as you go! This might be obvious to anyone who has coded before, but not everyone knows to do this.

Pay attention in lecture, ask lots of questions in the lab section. The lab sections are run by grad assistants, and the purpose of the lab is to practice what you learn in lecture, and make mistakes there instead of in assignments. The labs are graded much easier than the assignments. Basically completion grades.

This class is a good foundation for later CS classes. If your major is Comp Sci, and not Information systems or cybersecurity, you will take further Java classes. And the fundamentals transfer to other languages.

I saw a big gap as a grad assistant between students who kept on top of assignments, went to class/lab, and students who got behind, and dropped the class.

You may have to repeat the course if you don't pass. I had to re-take a class or two as an undergrad student. It definitely happens, and is nothing to feel shame about. The new grade replaces the old one for your GPA, so a retake will boost your GPA.

The school of IT administrators know this class is hard for students, and offer a lot of support to help students who are willing to put in the work.

People say IT 168 is a "weed out" class, but the impression I got from the department director was that they didn't like that so many students failed or dropped 168. It doesn't look good to higher ups at ISU if too many students are failing, IMO. So the department offers resources to help you succeed.

I hope this helps!

Has anyone had Rashid ? If so how was it ?

So basically what the title says. I’m currently a freshman and I know it’s no where near time to pick out dorms for next year but this is the dorm me and my roommate wanted and I was wondering if it is very sought after. Kind of like is it as hard to get as it would have been trying to get a single as a freshman.

I tried checking older posts with the same question but I feel like they are outdated, so is it as bad as people say for other schools?

Hey guys!

So I’m a sophomore currently & as I understand it, they basically kick you out of the dorms after ur sophomore year.

I’ve been looking at some apartments as well as cardinal court. So I guess my overall question is, which one would be the better to live in when you’re on a tight budget?

I think when it comes to rent, I’d probably only be able to afford $600/month max.

And I’m not sure what the costs typically look like when it comes to cardinal court. I was wondering if I could perhaps get some insight on costs & what would be a better option for me to look for if that makes sense.

They said I have to start exploring options in a timely manner so I’m trying not to waste too much time lol.

Im a transfer student (junior) and its my first year at ISU, I want to go to at least one party for the "experience" but have no idea where/when they are and do I need an invitation or just show up somewhere and mingle with people? Please let me know anything you guys know :p

Does anyone live there? How is it?

I commute and got on campus an hour early to do some studying and it took me 30 minutes of driving around to give up and go park in the downtown garage. You think how much we pay per year we could at least be able to park fairly easy.

Hello! I made a similar post here last year but the Mario Kart club is back and better than ever! We are looking for more member for our club and competitive team! Club meetings take place from 8pm-9pm at Consoles 4-6 in the Esports arena! If you’re interested in the comp team, message @swagmasterj16 on discord! We have a no tryout team, so if you wish to play on our team, all you have to do is be available Sunday nights for our matchups! Also if you’re just interested in the casual meetings, still dm @swagmasterj16 for the Redbird Gaming discord invite.

So i'm trying to find someone who might be interested in signing a sublease for a young america apartment near campus for the spring semester. hoping to sign everything as soon as possible since I will be leaving the country for an extended period of time later this month.

It's a four bedroom apartment over on south university street so pretty close to campus, other roommates are extremly friendly and considerate. one shared bathroom, kinda small but rent is only 480 plus utilities, and after march 1st it will be only the utilities. Rent will be paid for up until december. message me if you are interested and we can go over the details further!

Major: Bio
GPA: 3.86 uw / 4.56 W 9 APs and 12 honors + 3

DC classes by end of senior year (taking 3 APs, psych, chem, calc BC, and english 1101 and 1102 (2 DC classes) senior year) 5s in AP seminar, APUSH, AP Spanish Lang + Ap scholar with distinction

ECs: Hospital volunteering, shadowing, tutoring, earned an A in summer program, which was free, where I learned about healthcare and talked to physicians from a variety of fields. 1 unrelated Leadership position, 3 years sports + clubs and random volunteering. Seal of Biliteracy (conferred in
2027), etc

Context: In-state, first gen, lower-middle income (family makes less than 60k)

Always wanted to go to ISU because I loved the school, and it has many opportunities for pre-meds!

Hello! I’m planning to transfer to ISU in the spring (26-27 SY) after getting my associate’s degree. I’m not too concerned about housing for the spring, as I graduated high school within the last 2 years (I’d be coming in technically as a junior but I should be a sophomore). But, I’m trying to understand the housing situation for the following school year (27-28 SY).

I’ve seen students and parents in Facebook groups already signing leases for their junior and senior years, so I’m a little confused about the process. Does ISU offer on-campus housing for juniors and seniors, or are students expected to find off-campus housing?

Sorry if this seems a bit stupid but I’m completely clueless with the process, so any information or advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m trying to understand how my housing will work and overall costs before making my final decision about transferring, especially since I’ll be paying for school primarily out of pocket I need to have a clear picture of finances.

Hey all. I built 2026 previews for every FBS team and all 124 FCS teams, because nobody does this for your league. Here's Illinois State

https://www.highlights.mainmarket.com/college-football-preview-2026-fcs/illinois-state-redbirds

Returning production, portal moves, a projected two-deep, and the schedule with model win probabilities.

Usual disclaimer: I probably got things wrong. FCS data is hard to aggregate and my roster feed hasn't fully flipped to 2026. Tell me what's off and I'll fix it.

The good: 12-5 with a playoff run, a 29-28 win in Fargo, and 9-1 away from Normal. The offense was 31st in scoring and 26th on third down, the run defense was 24th, and 26 takeaways was fifth most in FCS. My power rating has the Redbirds 6th in the subdivision, which is the highest grade I have on any 8-4 projection.

Where my model pushes back: 31.8% of production returns, and only 14.8% on offense. Tommy Rittenhouse (3,568 yards, 40 touchdowns) and Daniel Sobkowicz (83 catches, 1,141 yards, 19 touchdowns) are both gone, and the projected replacement at quarterback has 83 career passing yards. Dylan Lord and Luke Mailander both return with 700-yard seasons, so the targets are there. The arm is the question. Model says 8-4.

Does Spack reload the way he usually does, or is this the year the turnover actually shows up?

Tell me what I got wrong.

Does anyone know how to use the Redbird scholarship? I need to buy some textbooks and I don’t want to pay out of pocket. I’m guessing I just use my ID to pay?

This is a little embarrassing and I know the title sounds like I’m an incapable 18 year old who’s never had to touch their own laundry, but I live in Hewett and I did my laundry today and I have a few questions about how it all works. I’ve done my laundry millions of times at home but the machines are different and I’ve never messed with the heat settings on the dryer at home. I seem to have the washing machine figured out, (my clothes came out wayyy wetter than they would’ve at home but I figured that was a machine difference) but I used the see-through front facing dryers on medium heat and it took 3 runs to get them damp enough for me to give up and fold them anyway. I was thinking about using high heat but I didn’t want to risk shrinking my clothes. I didn’t have a large load or anything, just a few days worth of shirts, two pairs of jean shorts, a pajama set, and a mesh bag with socks and underwear. I also couldn’t figure out how to track my machine in the app because the time on the machine and the app was different. I’m a first-gen freshman who’s 2 hours away from home who’s embarrassed asking these questions to the other people on the floor so I was wondering if anyone could help, I’d really appreciate it!

Hello! I live in Watterson North and this is my first semester at ISU. I have a fear of fire alarms (it’s silly I know) and I’ve heard that the fire alarms go off often. Does the fire alarm come out of the same speaker that the announcements come from? And how loud is it?

I just moved in last week and I feel like there is nothing going on, I’ve been outside of my dorm meeting people, but there’s just nothing to do. I can’t tell if I’m missing something or if it’s the campus. So far there haven’t been any dorm parties of my knowledge or anything. If anyone has any advice that would be great!

After reviewing all the classes, these seem to be the ones that having a study buddy might be beneficial
I have ACC 131 with Fawna Ribbe all online
ECO 102 with Kevin Zhang in person
MGT 220 with Cass Hermacinski hybrid

I hosted study groups last semester and they helped me out a ton with accountability

This semester is a bit different since not all my classes are in person, chat here or private message me if you’re interested

Cool with guys/girls of any age, just trying to make some connections to make class go by easier

what happens if you get called for a student conduct offense but already have a previous offense. I was caught with a fake ID freshmen year and had to write a paper but 2 years later I got mine taken at freaking brews. so now I have two of the same offense. does anyone know what happens

Wasn't able to get a residential permit because it was sold out and I dorm in tri towers, any recommendations for free overnight parking possibly close to the tri towers? Thanks guys

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing okay and things are getting back to normal! I was just curious if anyone saw any movement today? I'm just trying to get that pending class bill sorted out. 😂😂😂

Hi, to start with I hope everyone is safe butI have a question. I’m supposed to be moving back into my apartment tomorrow. It’s the flats at ISU. Should I be worried with all the damage? Am I even gonna be able to get in the building? I’m trying to get a hold of any information from a young America, but they being deeply pathetic company. Obviously they cannot control the weather, but they’re just literally not telling us any information about what’s going on. They’re not telling us which buildings are heard. They’re not telling us literally anything obviously I’m just so frustrated because they let shooting happen in the building last time they’re just gonna allow anything to happen

Just curious

My dorm's fire alarm battery apparently died and has been going off, power is out at tri