Third spaces are important in this digital age, when one can so easily give in to the temptation of doomscrolling in their bedroom, rather than engaging with friends – and strangers – in public areas! Third spaces are a physical social environment separate from your home (the first place) and your place of work or school (the second place). Common third spaces are libraries, coffee shops and bars.
As college students, we have a unique position as the place where we live, go to school and work are most of the time all in the same space. This makes easily accessible third spaces in college especially important, as going off campus is not always the most convenient.
Joe Walsh, a senior writing fellow said that they “serve as multifaceted supports for students. They provide opportunities for social interaction, academic assistance and destressing.”
Commuters, although they have a separate first place can still struggle to find places to be when they are not in classes. The library, though obvious, can be mundane and tiring after being in there for so long. Hannah Choi, a senior biology major, said, “the majority of my time in college has been spent in Warner library. There I could find classmates and friends either in the atrium or study rooms.”
The Writing Center is one my favorite places to work and hang out with friends. It’s lit by twinkly lights and lamps, so it doesn’t give me a headache, as other places on campuses use excessive fluorescent lighting. The Writing Center is always decorated to a holiday theme with cobwebs or Christmas trees, which gives it a more homey, lived-in feeling than other places on campus. If you visit during late November or early December, you can decorate your own ornament to adorn the Christmas tree!
Ruby Baker and Faith Croll, the Writing Center Coordinators, have clearly put in the work and effort to be a safe space for all students, whether you have an appointment or not! And who could forget the free snacks always available?
Zime, although a more obvious third space at Eastern, is one that must be mentioned due to its popularity. Pick a time to go there and almost always the line is backed up to the chalkboard wall. This is not just because of its easy risers and too sweet coffee (one pump of caramel thank you very much), but also because of the sociable atmosphere that students crave.
Whether it’s to sit by the window and try to cram in reading for your next class, or sit and chat with an acquaintance you bumped into, Zime offers a relaxed atmosphere when so much of American academic life is fast paced.
“Third spaces are super important for college students who live, work and learn on campus.” Walsh said, “Everyone should have places and activities where they can destress, spend time with friends and find community.”
An under rated third space are the hidden nooks and crannies of Eastern’s newest building, Templeton Hall. There are at least seven cozy reading spots if one is dedicated enough to seeking them out. My favorite is the space in the hallway before Clemens with a couch and two comfortable chairs.
Rarely do college students get the luxury of a comfortable couch afforded to them, but thanks to Templeton, if you’re lucky enough to snag it, one can write essays as the commuters do on a couch.
Plus, this spot has the only working fireplace in the building, and if you’re a smooth talker you can normally convince a faculty member to turn it on for you, so that you can max out your third spacing with a cup of tea (found upstairs in the student tea station), your couch and your fire, all while meeting new people you may not have known before, or at the very least getting out of your stuffy (and perhaps moldy) dorm room.
Another one of my favorite third spaces are faculty and staff member’s offices, such as the CAPE department on Centennial third floor, haunted by Sarah Todd and Nicole Markert, and fully furnished with low level lighting, couches and snacks. Other offices I tend to stop by are Baker’s or John Doyle of the communication studies department. These offices as third spaces offer a unique form of mentorship that can only be found in universities.
Third spaces are an integral part of development as college students and Eastern University should have more of these spaces for people to live, work and play all while forging deeper relationships and de-stressing.
