« Legacies | Home | Scarlet, Gray, and Pink: A Walk for Stefanie Spielman »
If I Ran a Campus Tour
By Andrew N. | April 19, 2012
Taking a tour of Ohio State can play a big role in deciding whether or not coming to school here is the right decision. I remember my tour of campus, mainly for the fact that it was cold enough to freeze the toes off a penguin. Being an expert on Ohio weather, I can say that I was likely wearing shorts two days prior.
While on the tour, the guide is most likely going to show off some of the landmarks and selling points of the university. I see tours all the time exploring the RPAC, Union, and Thompson library. When I was introduced to these destinations, my immediate thought was “ZOMG! I am like totally going to spend like all my time here!” (That’s what I sounded like in high school, I think)
If Thompson has a high point, it's the top floor (total pun intended)
After spending a solid 6 months living on campus, I can honestly say that I can count the number of times I’ve been to Thompson with 1 and 1/2 hands (7.5 times exactly, just kidding), I frequent the other recreation facilities much more often, and while I do go to the Union, it’s not the places you are shown on tour.
The places where I do spend my time aren’t exactly my secret spots, just under appreciated by the tour guides. Here are my alternatives to those iconic places.
1. The SEL- Now Thompson and the Science and Engineering Library (SEL, pronounced like S-E-L, not sell) are both libraries, and only a couple of the several libraries on campus, but there 2 key differences that set the SEL apart. First of all, the SEL is filled with tables and computers specifically for studying. While I could walk around Thompson for 20 minutes looking for a place to study without success, I have never had a problem with finding a place at the SEL. Second, the SEL is the only library that is open 24-7. If you are anything like me, majority of the studying/homework gets done late at night, and if it’s midnight at Thompson, you are kicked out and forced to go to the SEL anyway.
ARC – OSU RecConnect Commercial from Ohio State Recreational Sports on Vimeo.
2. The ARC- Don’t get me wrong, the RPAC is a fantastic facility, clearly one of the best in the country. However, I just don’t spend as much time there as some of the other facilities. Specifically I am going to talk about my favorite place, the ARC (this one is actually pronounced like ark, not A-R-C. Confusing, I know). In case you didn’t figure it out from the video, this place has so many opportunities. There is basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, lacrosse, all kinds of workout equipment and weights, and an awesome rock climbing wall. The only downside is it is located a decent distance from campus, but the CABS bus can drop you off right in front.
3. The Union- You’re thinking, “The Union? But they do take us to the Union on the tour. In fact, that’s where the whole thing starts” Touché. But they don’t show you my favorite places in the Union. Where you really want to go is the Center for Student Leadership and Service. I would say that it’s so nice, it reminds you of your own home, but that would be lying, it’s nicer than my own home (see picture). There’s a gate where you must swipe your BuckID to enter it, which not only keeps it away from the hussle and bussle of the rest of the Union, but makes you feel like a VIP.
So my overall suggestion is once you get on campus, do some exploring. Find the places you feel comfortable, which may or may not be the places you are initially introduced to. Who knows, you may find the place that actually is my secret spot ;-)
Sources:
Topics: Academics, Andrew, Campus Life, Recreation, Student Life, Why Ohio State? | Comments Off
Comments are closed.