To acquire wisdom, one must observe

Hoot Recommends: Favorite outdoor spots on campus

With several days of warm weather in the past week, many of us here at Brandeis took some time out to enjoy the great outdoors; frolicking on the lawns, walking through the flowers, and having a good time in general. Unfortunately, however, we have all been fooled. This weather is what New Englanders know as a “false spring,” and soon the weather will be back to its gloomy, 50-something degrees and cloudy self. However, in the rare event that warmth should return, here are the best outdoor places we recommend on campus.

Michael: I don’t really have one single outdoor place I enjoy the most. To me, this whole campus kind of feels like one huge garden. I’ve felt this way ever since I took my first campus tour here, and it’s never really gone away. You’re surrounded by landscaping, beautiful flowers in the spring, plus copious amounts of sculpture scattered around. However, if I absolutely HAD to pick one place, it would be underneath the Rabb building at night, when it’s lit up in a warm yellow, contrasting with the blue of the evening sky. With the great, multistory, concrete mass of the building looming over the Rabb steps, it gives off major “Roman triumphal arch” vibes as you’re standing beneath it.

Richard: My favorite outdoor spot on campus would have to be the Adirondack chairs by the Massell pond (if they have not been overrun by geese). I’ve had many great, deep philosophical conversations with friends there. Even if you’re by yourself, the pond is a serene place to do work, put on headphones and listen to music, or even just sit back and ponder.  

James: Unfortunately, I do not spend as much time outside as I would like, particularly during the school year. For a large portion of the year, the weather is not pleasant in this part of the world, and the outdoor areas near my dorm are not great. However, one place on campus that I particularly enjoy is the area around the Louis Brandeis statue. Although it’s a 15-minute walk from Charles River, so I don’t just go there to study; if I’m on campus and need to kill some time, I’ll occasionally do so there.

Anna Jane: I really like the field behind the SCC. It is pretty open and kind of a major walkway, which makes it perfect for people watching. It is great for people watching, but honestly, it is kind of private too, since people usually sit by Usdan or Fellows Garden. I’m a big field-by-the-SCC fan.

Jenna: I am a vampire who does, indeed, melt in the sun. Now that we have the exposition out of the way, I think my favorite outdoor spot on campus would have to be the bench outside of Pearlman. Specifically, the side with the long walkway and the giant tree. It has a very whimsical energy, and there is basically no one there ever, just the way I like it. It is also a good viewpoint to see people walking about, and easy access to grab an iced tea at Starbucks for all your picnicking needs.

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