Maximizing Illinois Compass Performance

Don’t get caught in a rush hour! Heavy traffic, at times, is to be expected. Just like campus streets, Compass has high traffic times that can slow you down. Following these tips will help to improve your Illinois Compass experience.

• Avoid heavy traffic times. It is wise to work around these high-use times, which tend to be most evenings from 5:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M., with 11:00 P.M. to midnight especially busy.

• Give yourself some extra time to account for potential high use of the system. Avoid competing with your classmates to post your assignment.
  • If you wait until the last minute of a deadline to complete your work you might not be able to submit your assignment in time. Do coursework earlier, and factor in the possibility of delays and problems – your own problems, network problems, online course problems, and Compass problems.

• Compose your work outside Compass, and then log in only to post. In addition to reducing the amount of time you spend in Compass, this process ensures that you won’t lose your work if the browser times out.

• Print or download articles and lectures notes to read outside your Compass sessions. Again, getting in and out of Compass quickly means that you get what you need and gives other students readier access to the system.

• Prepare for quizzes and other tasks before you log in to Compass, and decrease the time you spend in the system.

• Occasionally any technology can experience difficulties. Be prepared!
  • Back up your course files regularly.
  • Keep hard copies of important class documents—you may also be able to download a local copy to your own computer or storage drive.
  • If you have questions about Illinois Compass contact your instructor first. Instructors choose the content and design of their Compass courses and will assist you until they determine that the CITES Help Desk is needed.