Meeting new people as an incoming student and integrating yourself into a new space can be intimidating. During students’ time at Ohio University, the school offers activities to fill the space between classes. Here are some activities on and off campus to escape the dorms and refresh between classes:
Coffee shops are a good place to start. Court Street is filled with various local coffee shops, perfect for meeting with friends or studying between classes. OU coffee culture is evident on campus, and it is rare people ever find a cafe empty on Court Street. Popular options include Donkey Coffee, Court Street Coffee and Brenen’s Coffee Cafe. A coffee shop is the perfect place to study independently or with friends off campus to reset your environment.
Hiking at local sites is a popular off-campus activity. Hanging out at Strouds Run can be a great activity for friends and an escape from school. Strouds has a beach area where many students gather to lay out in the sun and picnic on warm days.
The Ridges is a popular site for students interested in history. The Ridges used to be the Athens Lunatic Asylum, which OU bought and renovated parts of the building for academic use and an art museum.
The Bobcat HangOUt in Baker Center holds many games such as pool, foosball and darts for any Bobcat to bring their friends during free time between classes. Baker also has Front Room Coffeehouse and West 82 to grab a snack or meal before visiting the Bobcat HangOUt or can be used to chat and do homework.
Ping Recreation Center is a popular spot on campus for physical activity. Ping has machines for independent workouts and group workout classes free of charge for students. There are cycling, Pilates, boxing, yoga and F45 classes. There are also various places for sports, such as basketball and volleyball and a rock climbing wall in the center of the building upon entering.
Most recently, the Ping has added the Well-Being Wing, which provides “a place where students can work on their mental, emotional, environmental, physical, social and spiritual well-being.” The space has facilities and activities such as massage chairs, morning affirmations, drawing, coloring and poetry.
There are many food options in Athens when the dining hall becomes repetitive. Some popular local spots include Bagel Street Deli, a bagel sandwich place with infinite options; Hot Box, a locally owned business similar to Raising Canes and Mac Shack, a popular stop on Court St. for their hot and fresh Mac and cheese options.
Paw Print Park is located behind Nelson Court and is a great place for walking and outdoor sports. The park has paved sidewalks and green space, along with sports fields next to it.
Just outside Nelson are sand volleyball courts for when the weather is nice, which is a great place to bring friends and get in some physical activity. Behind Nelson, there is a bike/walking trail lined with cherry blossom trees. The trails are full of people throughout the year, but they are most popular when the weather is warm and the trees are in bloom.
Picnicking on College Green is one of the most popular activities amongst students. When the weather is warm, students grab their blankets and snacks to meet with friends and enjoy the sun.
