At first, the times I am off-campus sound like the worst times to do homework. Times off-campus should be spent exploring or having fun or drinking really good coffee, I tell myself. However, throughout the past year, I have found that sometimes getting off-campus is just what I need to get motivated to get my schoolwork done. A change of scenery is always good, and sometimes when it’s nice outside, that change even involves being outdoors. However, when it starts to get chilly outside, one of my favorite spots to work off campus is Holland’s Barnes & Noble store.
Perks of Barnes & Noble:
- There are books everywhere that you can use and then put back. It’s like a smaller library with less Hope students around, which tends to be less distracting. You can get really sidetracked when you run into a whole bunch of friends at Van Wylen Library. Suddenly you’ve been at the library for two hours and haven’t gotten anything done. Not that I would know from experience or anything.
- There is a Starbucks in Barnes & Noble. Said Starbucks serves snacks. Enough said.
- Little kids and old people tend to be there. Also enough said.
- It doesn’t tend to be super-busy, with the exception of Sunday afternoons, which can get a little crowded for the size of the cafe in the store.
- It can be really beneficial to get away from campus for a couple of hours every once in a while.
Drawbacks of Barnes & Noble:
- There are not as many books as there are at the library, so you just need to come with more preparation.
- There is a Starbucks in Barnes & Noble. Said Starbucks costs money.
- Little kids and old people tend to be there. They are adorable and can be incredibly distracting.
- It doesn’t tend to get super busy, so if you’re easily distracted by conversations around you (I call it accidental eavesdropping), you can get sucked into the ones near you pretty easily.
- You have to make the time and find a way to get off campus!
I don’t go to Barnes & Noble super often, but when I do, I’m usually pretty productive! It’s a great place to get things done, and it’s nice to get into a new environment that still feels studious!
Thanks for reading! Keep up with me on Twitter (@hopekathryn17), Instagram (@kathrynekrieger), Etsy (LakesPointCollective), or send me an email at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu!
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
– John 13:34-35