By Mario Montalvo/multimedia editor
Carrie Duke/The Collegian
Traditionally, students have congregated in places like the library or the cafeteria, but TCC campuses have a growing number of spaces available for students to study, socialize or just hang out.
In the short time that the Science Building has been open on SE Campus, students have made it a popular place to study and relax.
SE student developmental services associate Frankie Ward said students will play chess or set up their laptops and study on the first couple of floors. The third floor, a quiet place where biology classes are taught, has become a popular place to study or take a power nap between classes, she said.
Quiet isn’t for everybody, and for students who study better with background noise, The Bistro next to the cafeteria is the place to be, Ward said.
“It’s amazing to me to see the students studying A&P [Anatomy and Physiology]. And I’m like, ‘How can they focus?’” she said.
It has also become a gathering place for the Anime Club and avid gamers alike.
SE student Komsan Sujaritpakdee said the group, which is split between console gamers and PC gamers, was brought together by the popular online game League of Legends.
“It’s kind of like basketball,” he said. “You get a team of five together, and then you play whoever.”
For students who prefer more traditional games like pool or chess, NE, NW, South and TR campuses have game rooms at students’ disposal.
For first-year TR student Flavio Castro, the Idea Store has become a place to meet new people.
“College is a new experience for me,” he said. “I love playing pool. This is how I met everyone here.”
The space also has Internet-connected computers and study areas. There are many private study rooms on TR, but it’s difficult to find one that isn’t being used, Castro said.
Mario Montalvo/The Collegian
“I sit here, I put my laptop up and start writing a paper or doing math homework,” he said. “And when you get too frustrated and you get mad, you can get yourself away, relax it up with some pool and go back to studying.”
Some students just aren’t into playing games and prefer to devote most of their free time to their studies.
South Campus student Eduardo Martinez said he prefers to spend his time outdoors studying under the shade of a tree.
Mario Montalvo/The Collegian
“I prefer this bench right here,” he said. “It’s calm and peaceful. One thing is, I don’t like being indoors. I just mind my business and do my work.”
Other campuses also have popular outdoor areas.
NW Campus students gather near the waterfall courtyard near the WTLO building, said student development associate Rachel McCluskey.
“And on a really nice day, students can also be spotted under a shady tree near the lake,” she said.
On NE Campus, students are often seen at the chessboard area in front of the Communication Arts Building.
“It’s like the center of the school, so everyone passes over here,” said student Parnell Johnson.
Johnson and his friends said they enjoy the area because of the shade the nearby trees provide and the breeze.
In addition to chess, people-watching is a popular sport at the spot.
“You see a lot of girls walking by,” said student Terrance Roberts.
