Author: Mazen Morrar
Mazen is a student employee with Technology Services.
As you begin a new semester at Illinois, one of the most important steps you can take is making sure your Illinois email account is ready to go. Your Illinois email is your NetID@illinois.edu. This is more than just a way to send messages – it is your official connection to professors, classmates and the university. Read the “how to log-in to email” page for more information.
Your university email is where you will receive updates about classes, campus events, financial aid and important deadlines. If a professor changes an assignment or the university sends an alert, it will show up to this account. Checking it regularly ensures you do not miss something important.
New students can log in to their Illinois email at outlook.office.com using their NetID and password. Returning students should take a few minutes to make sure everything is working smoothly. Clear out old messages if you are running out of space and check your junk folder in case a class email ended up there by mistake.
If you have trouble logging in or need help setting up your account, Technology Services is here to help. The Help Desk can walk you through password recovery, Multi-Factor Authentication and other login issues. You can stop by in person, call or submit a request online. During the first week of classes, Tech Points help desks will also be available in multiple campus locations. Staff there can help set up your email on your laptop or phone and answer questions about other campus tech services.
Your Illinois email account also gives you access to useful tools like Microsoft 365, which includes Word, Excel and Teams, all free to use while you are a student. Using your university email for classwork and campus communication helps keep academic messages separate from your personal inbox.
Before the semester picks up speed, take a few minutes to log in, send yourself a test message and confirm your settings. Being prepared now means you can focus on your classes and campus life without worrying about missed emails. Staying connected starts with your Illinois email account so make it part of your daily routine.