Category: Around Campus (page 1 of 39)

Honors students in action in and around our campus community

“What If?” by Chris Hope

I’m the type of person who thinks way too much about things, whether that be about decisions I make or about media I watch or listen to. Funnily enough, both of those aspects of myself fit together perfectly, because the past two weeks I’ve had working on the Harrington Theatre Arts Company’s recent production of the show If/Then. If you weren’t able to catch it, the story of If/Then focuses on Elizabeth and two timelines branching out from a single decision: one where she chooses to go with her newfound friend Kate (who calls her Liz) and one where she chooses to go with an old college friend Lucas (who calls her Beth). That single decision has a huge effect on her life as well as the lives of her friends and acquaintances. People who may meet and fall in love in one may never meet at all in the other, all because of a single decision. I, like many people, also tend to think long and hard over the possibilities that are presented in life’s choices; there can be advantages and pitfalls to such overthinking, but there are of course ways that media such as If/Then explore how one can overcome all of those pitfalls.

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“Indian Student Association Spotlight – A President’s Perspective” by Yamini Vyas

Throughout my elementary, middle, and even high school days, my father would always joke: “Yamini for President!” Of course his joke was fully laced with seriousness, but to my immensely shy and introverted self, the idea was seemingly impossible. Fast-forward through years of me working through my public speaking anxiety and sharpening my leadership skills to this year, where I have the privilege of serving as President for UD’s Indian Student Association (ISA). After enrolling in the Honors College, one of the first things I looked into during my freshman year was becoming a member of this organization. And sophomore year, as I aimed to be more involved, I  effectively became ISA’s Treasurer. 

ISA aims to facilitate understanding between students to cultivate meaningful, lasting relationships among community members of all different backgrounds. We promote social and cultural activities originating from all over India, ranging from Punjab to Tamil Nadu. And although it is referred to as the “Indian” Student Association, we house an all-inclusive environment where any student can be a member regardless of their cultural heritage. While this is not an exhaustive list of our events and celebrations, below are some of our most prominent and memorable ones that you won’t want to miss.   

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“Time to Break the Cycle” By Alex Stone

You wake up to the annoyingly persistent buzz-buzz-buzz of your alarm clock. The sun has just begun to creep up over the horizon, starting its day just as you are beginning yours. Your bed is so warm, so cozy. It is almost painful to force yourself up and out of bed. Yet, you know you must because there are essays to write, projects to do, and notes to study. It is another morning, another day, and you find yourself just counting down the hours, the minutes, the seconds until you can crawl back into bed and get some much-needed rest before taking on the next day.

Throughout the semester, we can all find ourselves feeling this way, like we are in a constant cycle of work and worry. As Honors Students, taking many challenging classes, getting involved in exciting research opportunities, and participating in time-consuming extracurriculars can begin to make life feel overwhelming at times. The work may keep piling up, but the desire to accomplish that work keeps finding a way to remain out of reach. And yet, while I have found myself in this position a time or two this semester, I have also found a way to break out of this dangerous cycle, and hopefully you can too.

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“A Non-Exhaustive List of Cool Places on Campus” by Nadya Ellerhorst

Sometimes it’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I attended UD for an entire year – without actually attending UD. As such, much of my sophomore year was spent in a first-year sort of awe at all of the different parts of campus, and even in the present it seems like I make a new discovery every day. For example, I just had a class in the art conservation lab in Old College, where I quite literally sat right next to museum objects out of their cases – and I’m not even an Art Conservation major!

Even though there’s likely still plenty of UD treasures for me to unearth, I thought I’d give a summary of some of the coolest places I’ve come across thus far.

But what is it that makes these places cool? I can’t say I’m quite sure. I hang out in some, bask in awe at others, and have frankly visited a few a handful of times. But this list just scratches the surface – there’s still plenty for this Blue Hen to uncover – and I encourage you to seek out and compile a cool-place repertoire for yourself.

Daugherty Hall

One of my favorite places to study on campus, I’m letting you in on my little secret because it’s such a beautiful, comfortable, AND convenient place to get your work done. The tables are outfitted with both fancy lamps (they happen to be the kind that turn on when you pull the lil’ cord) and outlets to charge your devices, and there are plenty of comfy chairs and couches throughout. The stained glass is also stunning, and I always love the vibes there on rainy weekend nights.

The Bouncy Turf of North Campus

Right in front of Pencader Dining Hall is a delightful, mildly springy turf that I adore crossing whenever I go on a fresh smoothie and açai bowl run. Sometimes people are playing actual sports on it, so lest I get bonked on the head by a stray soccer ball, I must settle for the concrete walkways. But in order to get there you’ll need to cross…

The North Campus Bridge

Beware of the lantern flies, but look at that creek down below! I definitely recommend crossing sooner rather than later so you can savor the surrounding autumn ~foliage~ while it lasts.

Gore Hall

I’m always pleased whenever I see that I have a class or RSO meeting here, as the bright yellow walls and beautiful atrium never cease to amaze me. The bridge connecting it to Smith Hall is an added perk (and very convenient during times of traffic and heavy rain). 

Old College

Old College is just a beautiful building in and of itself (although beware of the slippery stairs!). There’s also an exhibit space in here (and lots of other places on campus). If you don’t feel like the star of some coming-of-age movie strolling through its tree-lined walkway on your way to class, then this blog post will have been for nothing.

The Hen Zone

From board games to Nintendo Switch, the Hen Zone in Perkins has plenty to do, which I find perfect for a little stress relief or a fun, post-homework-completion night with friends. There’s also plenty of places to sit and get work done if the sound of ping pong matches and intense air hockey games is your kind of ambiance.

The Basement of Perkins

The basement of Perkins is a relatively quiet space with a variety of seating, and it’s also fun to peek into the RSO offices down there. It’s likewise a great space if you’re in need of some secretive corner to munch on a doughnut.

[Nocturnal] Trabant

Trabant itself is a pretty cool building (it hosts International Coffee Hour every Friday from 4-6), but especially so after dark, when its vaulted ceiling is illuminated by the glow of yellow and blue neon lights. I even saw an impromptu a capella performance there one night as I picked up a meal exchange, but I was shy so I sort of jogged through.

The Cherry Blossoms

There’s a fair chance you’ve seen them on UD brochures and postcards alike, and with spring will come the blossoming of these delightfully pink trees. There’s really nothing like walking (and suddenly stopping to take photos) of the blossoms in the walkway between Memorial Hall and Lammot du Pont Laboratory. Patience. Your chance for spectacular selfies will soon come.

The Student Multimedia Design Center in Morris Library

No one will shush you down here. The basement of Morris is both an excellent study space, especially if you don’t mind a little background noise, and a superb campus resource for all things digital. There’s recording booths and a lot of other technology I won’t spend my word count pretending I understand. 

South Green

If you’re looking to take advantage of the pleasant weather while it lasts, the South Green is a tranquil, lovely place for a walk. After all, it’s so… GREEN!

The Train!

Seeing this choo choo that serves as the unofficial division point between Main and North Campus will be cool the first time, like witnessing something out of Hogwarts. Relish it because from then on it’ll probably just be a source of aggravation. Listen closely, and you can hear students’ collective running-late yell of frustration over the siren.

YoUDee’s Eyes

Ok, this isn’t necessarily a place, but have you ever noticed that there are mini State- of-Delawares in them? If you don’t believe me, stare really hard at them next time you see YoUDee at a university event (those are generally pretty cool places to be, anyway). If this observation just changed your life, you’re welcome.

“A Letter to My Freshman Year Self” by Alex Stone

Dear Freshman-Year self,

On a beautiful and sunny September day during the start of senior year, I decided to take a bike ride. I have always wanted to explore the trails around UD. But it wasn’t until senior year that I discovered the trails by the train tracks on South Campus extend way beyond North Campus as well. So, on that fateful day in September, I rode along those leaf-strewn trails, under the shade of the towering trees, and beside the rushing sounds of the river. Since it did take me four years to happen upon these trails, I couldn’t help but think: what would it have been like if I found them freshman year? 

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