By ALEX COOK | Guest Contributor
Tucked away in small corners of buildings across campus are WSU Vancouver’s unguarded treasures, hidden in plain sight – small havens of peace and quiet. While library space is in high demand for busy students, some of these unused spots have views to die for, while others are sequestered away from the world, just waiting for someone to come by and sit down.
For a secret space to be worth your time, it should be out of the way enough that most people will not use it, offer enough space for you and a friend but not too spacious, be comfortable to exist in, and potentially offer other useful resources. We can simplify these down to:
- Availability
- Space Given
- Comfort
- Amenities
Each space will be judged based on its ability to meet these four categories; the best secret space has the right balance of all four.
Space 1: Classroom building corner
Have you seen this spot? A short walk underneath the Classroom building’s southwest staircase, this nook features two tables, a whiteboard, and a window to allow you a bit of sun as you study. Most interestingly, this spot is almost always empty.
Space 2: McClaskey’s Table
Down in the McClaskey building, there is a small table squished into a crevasse opposite the elevator on the first floor. The McClaskey building is usually quiet, and while placed directly where foot traffic would be, there is rarely an excess of activity to worry about. However, its position and the lack of anything other than the table and some chairs leave the space sorely lacking in terms of practicality as a long-term study space.
Overall, the availability is high, and the table does seat four. However, its cramped space and location will leave you feeling isolated. Study here if you are looking for somewhere quiet that offers enough space for you and a friend.
Space 3: The Lone Desk on the Ground Floor
Now this is an oddity.
Down on the ground floor of the Classroom building in one of the hallways is a singular desk and chair. The space is equipped with two plugs for personal use and a standard desk chair that can swivel and roll. The location is directly in a hallway, but the ground floor of the classroom building is usually unoccupied, so you are likely to get some silence as you study. The convenience of a whole desk to oneself and plugs for charging is great, but they come at the cost of a small space, which offers little in terms of view or atmosphere.
Availability will vary, and while the observed use is low, its nature as a space for one will likely leave the space somewhat frequently occupied. However, finding a space all for oneself on campus is a rare find.
Space 4: Undergrad’s Third Floor
The Undergraduate building is one always full of students; nearly all tables are occupied and it’s rare to see the building quiet. However, a quick detour to the third floor will grant you a silent and pleasant retreat.
While this space isn’t a complete secret, it offers a comfortable seating, a table illuminated by an overhead spotlight and a beautiful view of the campus, allowing for an atmospheric study session.
With cozy vibes and a great view, it’s worth the detour, but availability could vary from day to day.