Tufts: A Homely Sneak Peek
For me, the sign of a good home is one where I can plop down in any corner, pull out my books or my headphones, and indulge myself for a good hour or two. At Tufts, I have taken it upon myself to discover all the corners and crevices that can evoke such feelings of homeliness again. The result? An array of places around campus where I can get lost in my own world, four of which I’d like to share.
1. The space between Fletcher and the tennis court
I’ll admit: The first time I came to Ginn Library in Fletcher to find a book, I got shamelessly lost. But that’s beside the point. What’s important is that I stumbled upon these black benches right outside of the library. There’s a row of them, running along the path to Ginn and overlooking the tennis court. Seats in the library are abundant, but there’s something about settling outside in a serene environment, surrounded by trees, academia, and the smell of sweat from the tennis court (no, I’m kidding) that helps you tune into another world. I consider this corner of Ginn an escape in the middle of chaos: wedged between a tennis court and a library of students cramming for tests but unexpectedly calming and refreshing.
2. The Presidential Lawn
This one should be no surprise; the Presidential Lawn is one of Tufts’ most beautiful landscapes. People often consider this lush green hill an area to pass by and admire, one where friends gather on a sunny day, or where you can sit and chill with headphones and a drawing pad. On multiple occasions, students have brought their hammocks to the lawn, hung them up between trees shedding their summer leaves, and enjoyed their afternoon without a care in the world. I go to the Prez Lawn, if not with my friends to fool around, then with a Murakami book to devour. I remain stationed at my spot for hours as leaves fall around me and the sky changes to an orange sunset – a time lapse of which I am blessed to be an observer.
3. Tisch Library – a predictable favorite
Students go to the library to study – there’s no doubt about it. The reading room and studying area among the stacks are crowded every night as students prepare for their classes or work on group projects. Though I prefer sitting within the stacks of the lower level, the group project area has always caught my eye each time I walk by. With its circular working section and a geometrical structure rising from the center, this part of the library resembles a brainstorm, a space for the birth of ideas. While the rest of the library itself is typical of a library, I find myself lingering by this group area, hoping to catch motivation from the creative energy that abounds.
4. Metcalf Lounge
My personal favorite? The common room in Metcalf, where I have essentially decided to migrate. This lounge is furnished with 3 different sets of tables and chairs/ sofas, while a big round table lies smack in the middle. A TV hangs on the wall and two bookshelves containing rows of books and board games rest on either side of the room. Metcalf people never lack entertainment. Here is where you’ll find study groups groaning about computer science assignments at 3 am, and occasionally a few overworked (procrastinating) students passed out on the sofas at 4 am. It’s messy, it’s cozy, and it feels like home.