Jacob Franklin
Opinions Editor
The end of the semester is drawing near, and with that will likely come hours and hours of last-minute, late-night exam-studying and essay-writing. However, it is important to remember to take care of yourself and make the most out of your little time to take breaks from studying. The Purple is here to let you know the top five ways you can optimize your study breaks to make sure your mental health is in the right place for you to do well on your final exams and projects.
5. See what student organizations are doing around campus on Reading Day!
Numerous student organizations host activities on Reading Day that serve as amazing brain breaks. For example, the Community Engagement House has a tradition of providing free donuts to students who stop by the house the morning of Reading Day. Additionally, last semester, the Order of the Gown provided free pizza in DuPont Library. Keep your eyes on social media, and you will see all of the organizations hosting free-of-charge study breaks across campus.
On this semester’s Reading Day in particular, the Crafting Guild will be hosting a “crochet rave.” On Spencer Quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, the Farmhouse and Spectrum will be teaming up to have a goat-petting station and fundraiser for the Campaign for Southern Equality. But, when in doubt, the Vice-Chancellor’s Late Night Pancake Breakfast is one of Sewanee’s most iconic ways to destress before finals.
4. Break a sweat at Fowler or FitWell!
Getting active is one of the best ways for you to relieve stress. Both Fowler Center and FitWell at the Wellness Commons are excellent facilities to get your workout in. FitWell also hosts student-taught workouts, including yoga classes and spin classes.
“The pilates class was a very interesting experience,” Ava Bowron (C ‘27) says, “learning new exercises and with an instructor who makes the workouts fun.”
You can find the schedule for these classes on FitWell’s website. Even if working out isn’t your thing, you could try a thirty-minute walk on the treadmill or an easy ride on the bike machine. Go at your own pace and enjoy your break away from that paper you’ve been procrastinating on.
3. Make a brief visit to Biehl Commons!
Our new social and student life common area has so much to offer for the stressed-out, brain-fried student. With abundant seating options, Biehl is a great place to hang out with friends over some of Biehl’s boba tea or amazing food options (my personal favorite are the eggrolls). There are also a plethora of board games to choose from to play with your friends, alongside some of Biehl’s most prized amenities of a pool table, shuffleboard, and ping pong table. Whether you want to sit back and relax with friends or get competitive with them, Biehl Commons provides the perfect place to spend your study break.
2. Explore downtown Sewanee!
Though ‘downtown’ might be a bit generous of a word, Sewanee’s village area is an absolutely adorable area to spend a few hours of your afternoon exploring. There are multiple places to eat, each with a specific menu and vibe that caters to all sorts of customers. If you’re looking for a quick carbo-load with a burger or a sandwich with your typical college bar vibe, Shenanigan’s is the place to go. Personally, my absolute favorite thing to eat on-campus is Shenanigan’s spicy turkey melt, so if that sounds up-your-alley, you should definitely check it out. If you are looking for more healthy options, Lunch is just across the street, which is dedicated to using natural, local ingredients. You can read more about the food served at each of these eateries in Junior Editor Chloe Wright’s article published earlier this semester, “The Best Places to Eat In Sewanee.” Additionally, Blue Chair Cafe, outside of serving food, hosts open mic events open to all members of the community. Natalie Turnage (C ‘27) is a student who performs at and attends these events.
“[These nights are] all always packed full of community members from around the area,” Turnage says. “It’s such a cool experience. I have always felt encouraged and comfortable when participating. It’s a fantastic experience, so fantastic that it keeps me coming back week after week.”
If you are looking for a creatively-fulfilling time away from your schoolwork, you should check Blue Chair’s spoken word nights on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7 P.M. However, if that doesn’t sound your speed, you should also check out the quaint, beautiful restaurants; they are a great way to spend a meal or afternoon.
1. Take advantage of our beautiful campus!
Just as much as Sewanee is known for its prestigious academics, the university is also known for its beautiful Domain! The Sewanee Outing Program (SOP) is always hosting trips around Sewanee, whether that be an afternoon canoeing trip or a morning caving exploration. Amanda Shelton (C ‘27) is one of many students who takes advantage of our SOP.
“Through SOP,” Shelton says, “I’ve done crazy caving trips that I never thought I would be able to and made some fantastic memories of our campus. I get to see what makes Sewanee so special.”
However, while the SOP is an amazing resource, you don’t need the SOP to enjoy the outdoors. Take a hike on the trail around Lake Cheston, which is relatively flat and is one of the easiest trails on the Domain. Grab a blanket and have a picnic by The Cross. As Sewanee students, we are so lucky to have the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place. However, because this natural beauty has become a part of our daily lives, it might be easy to take this beauty for granted. So, when you have an opportunity to leave your schoolwork behind, take a moment to enjoy our campus and soak up some sun!