For many students, university is when school becomes more than just school, it becomes a home, a place of comfort and a place of pride. I’ve had the chance to talk to many students about some of their favourite spots to hang out on campus – a lot of the answers revolve around Trent’s beautiful landscape, its architecture and student spaces. Excellent answers to be sure, but I’ve decided to share with you my top three favourite places outside the classroom on Trent University’s beautiful Symons Campus.

1.  My Residence – my home away from home. To anyone considering living in residence, I would strongly recommend it. It’s a safe haven from the pressures of the classroom. After a long day of class, coming home to H-House of Otonabee College is just so relaxing and energizing. Your housemates will become family seemingly overnight. I’ve met some incredible people in residence, people I may have never met if I wasn’t living here so I would be remiss to leave it out of my top three.       
2. The Trent Athletics Centre – No self-respecting athlete or lover of fitness would leave this one off of their list so here it is. Trent’s Athletics Centre is state of the art. The indoor rock climbing wall is amazing and makes me feel like I’m a little kid, and that never gets old (like ever). The rowing tank is a symbol of the Trent Excalibur rowing team’s dominance and the envy of many other rowing programs province wide. Of course the Athletics Centre makes use of the prime location overlooking the beautiful Otonabee River as well, making even the longest stationary bike rides a little more bearable. But my favourite part is seeing familiar faces there, students just like me coming to the gym to sweat off a little bit of stress.
3. Bata Library – The poster child of Trent’s extraordinary and unique architecture, and my number one favourite spot at Trent. The main library stands stern and powerful on the river bank of the Otonabee. The windows coating the building give an amazing view of Trent’s natural beauty as well as allowing wonderful natural light to beautifully flood the quiet study spaces inside. I love to do my work at Bata. I feel so focused and so motivated. It is a space of knowledge and learning. Bata impresses me every time I walk inside, and the Tim Horton’s of course, never hurts.

Trent University is so much more than a school, so much more than an education. Going to university will be one of the most memorable periods of my life and I am lucky enough to wake up every morning on a beautiful campus, full of spaces to make me feel comfortable, healthy and motivated. These spaces at Trent help to make sure the memories I have of university will be fond ones and are a tribute to the attention and value Trent places on student life outside the classroom.