Loyola University Chicago

The Loyola Experience

Commit to faith, justice, and service
Connect with community
Engage in Chicago and the world
Expand your knowledge
Find your calling
Lead with values

Make commitments

Congratulations! You’ve completed your first year at Loyola. As you enter your second year, take time to look back at all you’ve done—but also look ahead to all you can accomplish. How will you maximize your intellectual, social, and spiritual growth? How are you integrating knowledge from the Core, your major, and experiences outside of class? And what will you do to help yourself grow?

Goals for the year

Refine strong habits

You're ready to perfect the habits necessary to engage in challenging intellectual work.

State your values

Articulate personal values and discern how they form personal, academic, and professional goals and decisions.

Reflect on what you’ve learned

Continue to integrate your learning through reflections on your Loyola Experience.

Build your relationships

Continue to develop your connections with faculty, staff, and other members of the Loyola community.

Find time for faith

Deepen the understanding of your own faith and learn about other religions and world views.

Now is the time to find your calling and declare your major.

60+

Hours earned

120 credit hours are required for graduation

Declare major(s) and/or minor(s) and generate your Academic Requirements Report in LOCUS.
Create plans for internships, study abroad, and research with faculty.
Complete your Core Curriculum courses.
Update your resume and ePortfolio.

Commit to faith, justice, and service
Participate in retreats, religious organizations, small faith-sharing groups, and opportunities for interfaith collaboration.

Celebrate your faith with others

Faith and spirituality are essential parts of the Loyola Experience. Our Campus Ministry department offers several programs for you to grow your spirituality and learn about other faith traditions.

Campus Ministry

Connect with Community
Connect with community through the commuter Student Council, at the Commuter Appreciation Day, in suite-style housing, or learning communities in the residence halls.

The Suite Life Loyola's apartment-style residence halls are the place to be on campus. In it Together Share a laugh with new friends on a sophomore retreat. All For One Learning Communities let you live with others who have the same interests.

In the Jesuit tradition,reflection is a three-fold process that involves paying attention to your experiences, using the head and heart to understand their meanings, and deciding how to act.

How can you maximize your intellectual, social, and spiritual growth?
How are you integrating knowledge from the Core, your major, and experiences outside of class?
How did you grow in your first year, and how do you hope to grow in your second year?

Engage in Chicago and the world
Look into study abroad opportunities and other experiential learning activities.

Get out and explore the world

Want to study Italian culture? Learn how to speak Spanish? Or explore Southeast Asia? You’re in luck, thanks to our study abroad options.

Office for International Programs

Expand your knowledge
Take part in a service program (e.g., alternative break immersions, Loyola4Chicago) or a service learning opportunity.

Head Out Take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it outside the lecture hall. Lifelong Learning Finish your Core requirements and become a well-rounded, critical thinker. Skill Building Work with a mentor to help you stay on track for graduation.

Lead with values
Consider various student clubs and organizations or service in leadership positions (e.g., peer advisor, peer mentor, peer tutor, companion, resident assistant, orientation leader, advisory board, student community board).

Become a better leader

From retreats to out-of-town conferences, our programs will help you build your skills to become a better leader and someone who works with others to promote positive change.