Navigating Tufts: Your Guide to Getting Around Campus Quickly
As a sophomore who’s spent more than a year exploring every corner of Tufts, I’ve learned one important thing: our campus is stunning, but it can feel like a maze when you’re rushing from Tisch Library to the Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) with just 10 minutes to spare. Luckily, with a bit of planning and some insider tips, you can conquer Tufts’ hills and winding paths like a pro. Let me help you get around campus as quickly and efficiently as possible!
Tufts has a lot of beautiful, winding walkways, but not all paths are created equal when it comes to speed. Here are some of the best shortcuts I’ve discovered.
If you’re heading from Tisch Library to the SEC, skip the long loop around. Instead, take the staircase near the library’s roof and follow the direct path past Anderson Hall. This cuts your walking time by a solid 3 minutes, plus the view is fantastic. Need to get from Carmichael Hall to the Academic Quad? Don’t follow the main road. Cut diagonally across President’s Lawn for a straight shot to East Hall or Ballou. It’s faster and scenic—win-win. The hill between the campus center and upper campus can feel daunting, especially if you’re in a rush. Save time by using the staircase behind Harleston Hall rather than winding up Packard Avenue. It’s a thigh-burner, but it’s the quickest way to the top.
For some popular spots, here are the best routes! From Dewick to Tisch Library, you can walk up Professors Row and cut through the pathway next to West Hall. This avoids the slower sidewalk route along College Avenue. From SEC to the Campus Center, you can take the footpath behind Pearson Hall. It’s a direct line and avoids traffic-heavy areas, and from Carmichael to Gantcher Center you can use the path through the residential area behind Bush Hall. It’s quieter and more direct than following the road.
Sure, getting from point A to point B quickly is important, but part of the magic of Tufts is enjoying the journey. Whether it’s passing by students tossing frisbees on the quad or catching a sunset over Medford, every shortcut or long walk adds to the Tufts experience. I’ve grown to love exploring the hidden corners of campus, and I hope these tips help you navigate your way through our little hilltop community.