Some of my favorite spots on campus for a variety of reasons include my favorite places to study, soak up some sunshine, and decompress after a long day (or week) of classes. Here are seven of my favorite places on and near campus.
First up is the perfect place to get some sunlight, even on a colder day: Singer Hall. An entire side of Singer is made up of mostly glass, making it the place on campus with the most natural sunlight. It also happens to be right next to the Science Center where two out of four of my classes are, so it’s an easy study spot even when I only have a few minutes to work.
Second is easily my favorite outdoor spot on campus: the hammocks outside of the Gender and Sexuality Center. While the Gender and Sexuality Center (formerly the Women’s Resource Center) is in itself one of my favorite spots for a cozy day on campus, the hammocks just outside are, in my opinion, even better than the couches inside. Whether my time in them is spent reading, scrolling, or napping, I always feel better after a visit to that corner of campus.
Third is my go-to study spot: the basement of McCabe Library. I find that McCabe tends to be the quietest of Swarthmore’s three libraries, which I appreciate, especially when I’m trying to get my readings done. The reason I specify that the basement is my floor of preference is that it is the floor that is strictly a quiet zone, as it’s where Swarthmore seniors have their senior thesis carrels, desks that are designated to individual seniors for them to work, and store the books that they use for their theses. For this reason, it tends to be especially quiet, and that motivates me to hunker down.
Fourth is another library, but not one on Swarthmore’s campus: the University of Pennsylvania Fine Arts Library. This library was built in the late nineteenth century and is gorgeous on the inside and out. Swarthmore is in the Quaker Consortium with Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and the University of Pennsylvania (or as most students call it, “Penn”), so students have access to libraries at all three colleges. The Fine Arts Library is just a 25-minute (free!) train ride away from Swarthmore, so it’s a convenient option whenever I want to get off campus.
Fifth is a spot near campus: Hobbs Coffee. While I’m not a big coffee drinker, they have great bagels and a daily soup special that has yet to disappoint me. Hobbs tends to be my go-to on weekdays since you have to fight for a table on most weekends. Not only is it right on the edge of campus, but it is also one of many restaurants in the town of Swarthmore (or “the Ville,” as many students call it) where students can use their meal plans to purchase food and drink.
Sixth is Ware Pool, which is probably the spot on this list that I visit the most frequently. Swimming is my favorite way to blow off steam and exercise, making the pool one of my favorite spots on campus. Being just a short walk away from my dorm, the pool is generally open to students for a few hours in the morning and a few in the afternoon, and more often than not has little to no significant traffic, making it a peaceful place to get a workout in.
Last but not least is my favorite spot to eat in town: Occasionally Yours. This is my go-to brunch spot both with friends and when family members visit, and, in my opinion, it has the best bagel around. While their Lox and Bagels are in my preferred order, they also make a great omelet. Like at Hobbs, students can use their meal plans here, making it a super convenient spot to grab a bite.
As you can see, there are lots of great places to eat, hang out, study, and soak up some sun on and around Swarthmore’s campus!