Author: Maya Mishra
Maya is a student employee with Technology Services.
Email isn’t the most exciting thing, but it is a key component for college students to stay connected in their professional lives. If you are new to the University of Illinois or just want to learn more about how to fully utilize your email inbox, this guide is for you! Read on to learn more about how U of I email works, how you can keep it organized and a few features that can make your life easier (even after you graduate).
What is my U of I email?
All U of I students and staff use Microsoft Outlook for their university email, with a few exceptions for students who started before 2018. Your official email address is yourNetID@illinois.edu. This is the address that professors, advisors and all campus offices will use to get in touch with you, so it is very important to check it regularly (or make sure that your notifications are turned on).
How do I access my email from my laptop?
You can always access your email through the Outlook web browser, but many students prefer installing the Outlook application on their laptop for easier organization and quicker access. Attached are instructions on how to install Outlook on your laptop. Once installed, just sign in using your NetID and password, and Outlook will handle the rest!
How do I get Outlook on my phone?
Phones are honestly most college students’ lifelines. Luckily, Outlook makes mobile access very straightforward. Simply download the Outlook app from your device app store, sign in with your NetID and password, remember to allow notifications and you’re good to go! From there, it is easier than ever to read your emails wherever you may be.
How can I keep my email organized?
If your inbox feels overwhelming, inbox rules can help you stay organized. Inbox rules allow Outlook to take action on incoming emails based on conditions that you set. For example, you can automatically move emails from a certain professor into a dedicated folder or delete spam messages before you even see them. Rules are especially helpful during the semester when emails start piling up fast. Once your rules are set, you can forget about them and let Outlook sort things for you! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up inbox rules.
Can I still get emails once I graduate?
Yes! Graduating Illini have the option of using email forwarding to continue getting messages from your U of I inbox to another email address. Be sure to set this up before leaving the University or shortly after. In this link, you can learn more about email forwarding and how to set it up.
How do I recover a deleted email?
Did you accidentally delete an important email? Not to worry! Outlook allows you to recover deleted items in many cases.
How much storage do I get?
Unfortunately, your Illinois inbox does have a few storage limits, so it is a good idea to occasionally clean things out. Check out this article for a more specific number on just how many emails you are allowed. Trust me, your inbox will thank you.
I still have a few questions…
Not to worry! You can visit the Illinois Email page at any time. And if you ever run into any issues or even just have a question, the Technology Services help desk is here to help you! Submit a ticket or send an email to consult@illinois.edu. The Help Desk will be more than happy to assist.
Managing your email might be one of the most boring tasks of being a student, but once it is set up, it becomes one less thing to worry about. Get your emails set up and have a wonderful semester, Illini!