I’d like to highlight some of my favorite places on the USM Portland campus. These include places to study between classes, grab a coffee or bite to eat, or just a quiet place to kick back and relax (maybe a quick power nap).
This being a college campus I’ll begin with some of the places to study. Sometimes the computer lab and library can get old and it is nice at times to find a different place to be scholarly. If you’re in Luther Bonney there are several small couches with tables on the second floor next to the entrance of the Learning Center. Some may be asking themselves, “We have a Learning Center?” The learning center is right about the computer lab and can be accessed by the elevator or the set of stairs next to the Luther Bonney food stop. The LC is a great place to get help in your classes as they have tutors available. If your having trouble in one of your math classes for example, stop by to make an appointment and take advantage of the help that is available.
If you need a quick bite to eat I’m sure all of you have found the selections in the main Luther Bonney hall. Coffee is very popular here, although I have to say the prices are a little steep.
Moving down to the Woodbury Campus Center, a student can find plenty of places to study as well as relax and get a good meal.
One of the first things that a new student will notice is the large dining area and the smell of food. The Portland campus lacks a cafeteria, although it has a very adequate À la Carte selection that accepts meal points. There is also a coffee shop in the dining room area serving all of the popular beverages as well as sandwiches made to order. This dining room area is not the quietest so if you plan on writing a paper over lunch you may want to bring headphones.
During my first few years at USM, the far left corner of Woodbury contained old but comfortable couches and a fifteen year old big screen T.V. The corner didn’t look the greatest and therefore didn’t attract that many inhabitants. This was perfect for me because it was always open and the couches were a great place to grab a quick nap during a long day of classes. A couple of years ago, the school revamped this area with new furniture converting it into a very nice living room. This was bittersweet to me as it meant fewer places to relax and more students, however it is a great addition to the campus center. This area also has a pool table to which the equipment can be checked out.
If you are a member of the service then you are also welcome to relax inside the Veterans Resource Center, which is located to the right before you enter the À la Carte area.
Taking a right directly as you walk in the main entrance heading toward the bookstore, you’ll find plenty of other places to study and or relax as well. The heart of this area is the office of Student Involvement and Activities, which has information about anything from sporting events to performing arts.
Surrounding the office are computers and an array of tables in an environment that is much more study friendly due to the noisy dining area on the other side of the building. If you walk around the corner you will find an art gallery where the University features several pieces of art throughout the year.
Remember those old couches I was talking about napping on? Well, I thought they were long gone until just a few months ago when I found them in what I call a hidden gem on campus. If you are standing in the art gallery area you’ll find a set of stairs that lead up to a loft full of couches.
This is perfect place to study and relax due the fact that it generally has a low traffic flow and fewer distractions. This area also has a few tables if you find the couches put you to sleep.
I hope that these areas prove useful as the semester draws to a close.
- Kyle
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