As a Floridian, I am used to very brief winters and wearing shorts on Christmas day. But, at Duke, I’ve come to experience a whole new world, one with all four seasons.
It’s November, and all of the leaves have turned a bright red and the temperature has started dropping. The rumors were true. There really is this thing called “Fall”. And, I have to say, while I was worried about the pipes freezing over or a blizzard coming through (ok, maybe it’s not that cold), the dropping temperatures have motivated me to find some great indoor spots around campus. With winter around the corner, here are my go-to-spots to study, hangout, relax and most importantly, to me, stay warm:
1. The Karl and Mary Ellen von der Heyden Pavilion: If you want to sit down and meet a friend to catch up on their daily life, or you have a chem test coming up, “Vondy” is the place to be. The Pavilion is attached to Perkins Library on West Campus, so I usually escape to its café during study breaks. There’s plenty of space and seats, so you never have to worry about having a place to sit and enjoy your coffee or hot chocolate. Many students, myself included, consider Vondy a daily destination. This place is literally one cushiony chair short of perfect.
2. Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture: I actually remember visiting the Center when I was a pFrosh (prospective student). I don’t know if it’s the lounges and comfortable sofas, or the staff, but the one thing that stuck out in my mind was that the Center feels like home. What’s the best thing about it? Hmm, well, it could be the fact that there are live jazz performers every Wednesday evening. Or, it could be the dual purpose it serves as a place for students to get away and as a space for performances and programs. I simply love this place, if you couldn’t tell already.
3. McClendon Tower: You could enter McClendon Tower at 9:00 a.m. and stay until 9:00 p.m., because it has every thing you’d need in a day. There are three main levels, each with a different atmosphere. The highest level creates the perfect café atmosphere, with a coffee shop and small store inside. Almost anytime of the day, you can walk in and see a room full of students reading magazines, doing homework or having a conversation over tea. The mid-level is definitely where people go to really concentrate and study. I wouldn’t bring your conversation from upstairs down here, because people are looking for a spot to be alone and finish their eight-page paper due next week. But, the bottom level is where you can be as loud as you want! With a full diner inside, the bottom level of McClendon Tower is where many groups of students eat dinner and hangout together. And did I mention the diner is open 24 hours a day? I told you, you won’t ever have to leave.
4. Duke Coffehouse: Milkshakes. Malts. I could end there, and you would know why this is one of my go-to-spots. The Coffeehouse is located on East Campus where every first-year student lives. It is by far one of the coolest places on campus. There’s art on the walls, great music played, hookahs and plenty of space to relax. Throughout the year, you can also see a number of concerts on the stage inside. The Coffee House could be your offbeat place to study or favorite spot to chill.
5. My Apartment: Now, I’m not sure how many of you I could fit inside my Central Campus apartment, but you are all more than welcome. I spend plenty of time around campus, but the Fall weather has also helped me realize my own space is pretty cool too. On weekends I like to cook and have friends come over to watch a movie or catch up on their week of crazy stories. I’ve really started to think of it as my space as well, making it the ideal place to do homework and entertain friends. So, the next time you come to Duke, give me a call. I’d love to take you around campus and if you’re lucky, maybe you can also stay for dinner.
My Central Campus apartment
