Editorial | The Panther’s top 9 outdoor, midterm study spaces
Illustration by RUPALI INGLE, Illustrator
With midterms quickly approaching and all of us mentally preparing ourselves for hours of studying, it’s close to that time of the semester when students lock themselves inside their rooms to grind out papers and exams. If you’re like us, you’re probably in dire need of some Vitamin D.
We’ve been crouched in our dimly-lit rooms — hunched over our laptops like a rare new species of sleep-deprived gremlins — for hours upon days upon maybe even a whole week before realizing we haven't breathed air that wasn’t first circulated through an air conditioner.
It’s important to remind ourselves that being outside is good. Humans are like slightly more sophisticated versions of house plants: we need fresh air, water and light. So stay hydrated, and go outside! With living in the midst of a pandemic, simply stepping outside the safety of our own homes can seem like a risk. But wearing a mask, bringing hand sanitizer and keeping distance from others largely diminish the risk of catching or transmitting COVID-19. And keeping ourselves indoors is just as potentially damaging for one’s mental health.
So follow our lead as our editors have picked out their favorite spots around Orange County to boost your serotonin for the week.
Photo courtesy of Jasmin Sani
An inviting assortment of City of Irvine parks
When perusing the streets of Orange County to find a good study spot, I seldom pick the same location twice. I’m a senior. I’m graduating soon. Yet I’ve lost a whole year of exploring my “college town” — that was, until I took a walk in a few Irvine city parks. Some may not know, but Irvine has been ranked the safest city with a population of 250,000 or more for 15 years now. Thus, I recommend Chapman students take advantage of discovering the beautiful scenery at Orange County Great Park, Irvine Regional Park and my newfound favorite, Portola Springs Community Park.
Orange’s “Mini Europe,” also known as the alleyway between Urth Caffe and Starbucks
For all you kids who were supposed to study abroad this semester, I feel your pain. I was supposed to go to Prague. That obviously didn’t happen. But fear not, I have found the next best thing: the alleyway in the Orange Plaza in between the Starbucks and Urth Caffe. Here, you can sit at a rusty, uncomfortable metal table and silently judge the hustle-and-bustle of Orange’s complete disregard for COVID-19, while being secluded enough to be safe yourself — just don’t forget your mask. It also smells like cigarettes and disappointment back there, which would perfectly replicate the experience of studying abroad in Europe. Huzzah!
Photo courtesy of Megan Forrester
The blissful yet basic Philz Coffee
The corner of North Glassell Street and West Maple Avenue, better known as Philz Coffee, is my outdoor oasis when escaping the suffocating walls of my apartment. Sipping a Philtered Soul cold brew, munching on a crisp pastry and basking in the Orange breeze is bliss, and you can crank out some homework with an aesthetically pleasing cup of coffee right beside you.
Photo courtesy of Mady Dever
Treat yourself at Seal Beach
There’s nothing better than picking up some Mexican food, grabbing a good book and laying out on the sand in Seal Beach. The beach is the perfect place to escape and feel like you’re far away from all of your problems. It’ll take at least a little weight off of midterms stress while studying. And if you get sleepy from the sun, you can stroll around the town and grab a coffee to go, or treat yourself to some ice cream after your exams, because you deserve it!
Photo courtesy of Juhi Doshi
Your own backyard oasis
As soon as I open the door to my backyard, I feel like I am on my own planet, overseeing the picturesque landscape in front of me. As I stare at the hills, valleys and mountains, along with the hundreds of homes and busy streets, I feel like I can literally see the world. There is nothing more serene than sitting on my hammock, taking in the sunshine, hearing the birds chirp and reading a good (text)book.
The closest thing to campus: Starbucks
As a freshman at Chapman University, I’ve still never attended an in-person class or been inside any of the buildings on campus. However, I find peace and relaxation sitting outside the Starbucks on campus. Although it doesn’t come close to the satisfaction that attending a class would be, it gives me enough joy just to be on campus and near the surrounding environment. I usually grab some food and an iced coffee, sit at a table with some homework or a novel and enjoy the sun and relaxing breeze.
Main character vibes at a Chapman Grand rooftop spot
When I begin to feel sun-deprived and trapped in my apartment, I drive my white Jeep Renegade to the roof of the Chapman Grand Apartments. With my pink pillow and fuzzy blanket, I chill in the back with the trunk door open to soak up some Vitamin D while I study and complete assignments. Being in my car allows me to maintain my personal space while still enjoying the outside world.
Photo courtesy of Joe Perrino
An underdog: the law school building patio
Tucked between the back door of the Dale E. Fowler School of Law and the Student Services Center are a few round picnic tables. Depending on the time of the day, study-goers can take in the beautiful Orange County sun or catch some cooling shade. Even though you won’t be blessed with the euphoric justice of the building’s air conditioning, you’ll still be close enough to the Student Health Center to get your weekly rapid COVID-19 test or, if by some odd chance, you break out into a feverous heatstroke.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Cartee
Manifesting the old Attallah Piazza
I love sitting at the tables in the Attallah Piazza to work or chill, because the weather is always so nice and being there makes me feel connected to campus. It’s rejuvenating to see familiar faces, and it’s COVID-19 safe since the tables are spread six feet apart. Hanging out there in general just makes me feel like I’m passing time in between classes like I used to.