THINK of a happy place. Then get up and go to it. However, finding such a spot for a study break or blitz on Grounds is a little more complicated than it sounds. Go to the Lawn and it's you and a couple hundred of your closest friends. Try navigating the labyrinth of Alderman Library - you'll come out more stressed than you went in. Eventually, with a bit of luck and a lot of walking, any University student can stake a claim on a square foot to call their own away from the crowds. But for those of you without the intrepid spirit and unlimited time, here are a few prospects to set you on your way.
Presidential pop quiz. On the lower end of the Lawn, approaching Old Cabell Hall, stand two prominent Founding Fathers embittered in a staring contest of epic proportions. Their faces should look more than vaguely familiar - George Washington and Thomas Jefferson (more commonly referred to here as Mr. Jefferson). The opposing nooks for the presidents afford the prime real estate of the Lawn without the danger of wayward frisbees. Study on several benches surrounding the statues or sit back for a few minutes of relaxation.
The Wahoo who went up a hill and came down a mountain. For a view well worth the hike, make the trek to Hereford Hill. The residential college boasts by far the greatest view of the mountains on Grounds. Sprawl out on the grassy slope or walk up to the top where a bed-sized bench offers a splendid Blue Ridge vista. For a closer encounter with nature, stop at one of the benches in the woods outside the Gooch-Dillard dormitories on your way up.
The E-school isn't all that scary. Most students in the Engineering School probably already have discovered the gem of a courtyard around which their facility is situated. Everyone else may not have stumbled upon it yet. It has flowering trees, it has grass, it has a picnic table. 'Nough said. Visit it late in the afternoons or on the weekend when student traffic is likely to be at a minimum. Last year the courtyard hosted the spring production of Shakespeare on the Lawn, so be on the look-out for that.
A place to tickle the ol' ivories. The main lounge on the third floor of Newcomb Hall is a great retreat without going far from central Grounds. The large and airy room is done up in classic sitting parlor fashions of which Mr. Jefferson himself would approve. In between classes, close your eyes and sink into some cushy sofas. Enjoy the lovely music various nomadic musicians coax out of the piano. And when no one's around, hazard a quick go at "Chopsticks."
The Addams family mansion. Located between the Rotunda and the Corner, Brooks Hall is a must-see for the sole reason that it is just really cool. The building is a Gothic structure from the late nineteenth century that houses the anthropology and studio art departments. Camp out on its steps and grassy surroundings to read some very appropriate Poe or examine the names of natural historians etched onto the walls. The neatest part of the Brooks Hall exterior, though, is the stone animal heads around the building that look more like gargoyles than the typical residents of your local petting zoo. For an added bonus on a study break, venture to explore the interior's unbelievably steep, winding staircase and charmingly creaky, warped floor.
This Dawson doesn't have a television show. Behind Bryan Hall lies a quaint group of small buildings dubbed Dawson's Row. The diminutive structures in the shadow of monoliths like Cabell and Clark Hall house various offices. It's an appealing spot to sit under a tree or in the balmy sunshine for a little studying or a nap.
Not everyone goes to the AFC to work out. OK, so you may feel a tinge of guilt going to the Aquatic & Fitness Center without the intent of pumping some iron. Shake it off, though, grab a smoothie and retreat to the small patio outside the cafe. On a clear afternoon, sunshine warms the brick exterior and metal chairs to make this unlikely study spot a little cozier. For leisure, pick up a magazine at TJ's Locker or admire the grandeur of Scott Stadium and incoming fitness buffs.
There's a brief run through some uncommon spots. Keep your eyes peeled for your own special place. Pop in to buildings you might not necessarily visit. Tour the Lawn and pavilion gardens even if they are crowded on a spring afternoon, but don't ignore the obscure and unknown. Find that happy place. Or borrow one of mine.
(Becky Krystal is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at bkrystal@cavalierdaily.com.)
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