Whilst uni is a time when you want to be out and about, meeting new people and pushing out of your comfort zone, sometimes you’ll just want to relax and enjoy some much-needed alone time. With this in mind, here are some of the top places to hide out at uni so you can take a well-deserved, uninterrupted break...
The library
The library is probably the safest place to hang out if you’re looking for some quiet time, and here’s why: you are literally not allowed to talk. This is ideal, as it means that when you do happen to bump into a friend in the library, you can mime a response of “sorry, I’m simply not allowed to talk to you right now,” and continue to enjoy your downtime, guilt-free!
The book store
It’s very rare that someone would go to the uni bookstore for fun – it’s usually full of flustered students desperately trying to track down the text book they forgot to buy for their next lecture. For this reason, if you see someone you know in the bookstore it’s unlikely that they’ll have time for a casual chat, allowing you to enjoy a quiet browse of the shelves.
The canteen
The canteen is a high risk option in terms of a hideout, but one that often pays off. There’s plenty of seating, usually lots of food options available, and is a great place to sit and study in peace. However, there may come a time when you’re spotted by an acquaintance who thinks that you’re in need of some company. In these instances, you may have to eat your lunch with a side of small talk - but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as you’ll more than likely make a new friend out of it.
The cinema
What better place to hide out than in a darkened, quiet room where everyone’s attention is focussed on the big screen? If you have a few hours to spare, why not check out the local film times and see if there’s anything that takes your fancy? Stock up on snacks, grab a blanket and settle in for a few hours of uninterrupted peace and quiet in a warm cinema screen. You can even get discounted cinema tickets at certain chains with a TOTUM card, powered by NUS Extra.
Your room
Now that you’ve made your house a home, there’s nowhere more comfortable to hang out than your bedroom. Take a nap, whack on Netflix or maybe do some studying. Whatever you choose to do, the minute you get fed up of being alone, you can just knock on your housemate’s doors for some company!