After a long week of classes and staying on campus to do homework, I often find myself coming down with a bit of cabin fever. I chose Chatham for many reasons, one of which being its proximity to the city, and I find myself repeatedly not taking advantage of that proximity. While it’s important to grow into and become a part of your campus community, growing into the your city or town’s community is just as intrinsic to the college experience. You learn more, you meet new people, and you become something greater and less transient than just a student, you become a citizen of the city you’re living in.
I try to get off campus every weekend at least once, to go and sit by myself and do homework at the Starbucks in Squirrel Hill. I make a point to go alone to give myself the ability to really melt into the community I’m in, and to give myself a chance to find some headspace and ruminate on ideas. I always get a soy latte, in a mug I bring myself, and I put in either cinnamon or cocoa powder depending on how I’m feeling that day. On the days it’s nice out (which have been few and far between in January) I sit outside facing Shady Avenue. The air always smells like Chinese takeout with a hit of cigarette smoke and coffee, and the constant chatter of cars in the background makes the perfect ambient noise for writing. If I’m inside, the air is light and coffee scented and I listen to music on my headphones, as the chatter and coming and going of customers is just too distracting. I sit at the tables, whether outside or in, and I tackle my To Do list for the day. By the time I’m done, it’s usually nearing four or five pm. At that point, I walk home, to my dorm, to eat either in the dining hall or in my dorm room.
University is hard, and stressful, and at times so overwhelming it’s hard to think straight. Keeping these little rituals keep me going and keep sane, and while what I do is not feasible for everyone I encourage finding your own little way to get off campus, to explore your city and to give yourself time to be a person, not just a student.