Let’s face it. Studying can be especially hard in the summer, especially when it seems like the rest of the world is on summer vacation. But just because you’ve got your eyeballs buried in macroeconomics doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some sun too. Get out of your boring Athens Ohio studio apartment, catch some rays and still get closer to that great big diploma in the sky. Here are five beautiful places to study outdoors.
Emeriti Park
Located just across from Grover Center near the The Baker University First Floor Entrance, Emeriti Park is a charming grove of paved paths and a small pond with beautiful trees and shaded rocks. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and set yourself up with some study books. And if you get hungry, there are plenty of affordable lunch options in Baker Center.
The Ridges
You could rent an Athens apartment close to OU and literally have the Ridges in your backyard. Connected to the historical Athens Asylum, the Ridges at one time had sculpted gardens designed by world renowned landscape architect Herman Haerlin of Cincinnati. Today, the nearly 700 acres that comprise the Ridges serve as a memory of that past. The historical pond is a beautiful place to study, with shaded benches and picturesque trees. There are several cemeteries that might even make trigonometry somewhat palatable. Find yourself some wooded shade and crack open a book.
The Bike Path Along the Hocking River
Located at the end of South Green, the bike path along the Hocking River is a very accessible natural study spot. Plenty of students and locals use the bike path for jogging, bicycling, and rollerblading, so it’s also a great people watching spot when your study brain needs a break.
College Green has tons of local scenery
Centrally located, and close to your rental right off campus, is the College Green. Every tree on the green is native to Ohio.
“Notable trees include the Carolina silverbell next to Chubb Hall, which is endangered, and the willow oak, one of the two largest in Ohio, near Galbreath Chapel and across from Tupper Hall,” reads one Athens NEWS article on the trees.
So, soak up the trees, scenery and the college environment. Once you’re done, all you need to do is pack up and walk a few feet to get back to Court Street and start your evening uptown.
Strouds Run has plenty of space to spread out
If your rental has parking, or if a friend has a car on campus – you’re in luck. Sometimes, it’s good to escape uptown and the campus vibe and get a little out of town. Strouds run is perfect for that. Besides having awesome boat rental services, there are a number of other spaces scattered about the park to study – from the beach to the forest.
Studying is a key element to succeeding in college. Picking the right place to do so will put you well on your way to getting that degree.