Hidden (and not so Hidden) Gems on Campus

Hey, it’s Shreya! Just your average undergraduate student here at the University of Guelph. I am here to help you find the hidden, and sometimes not so hidden, gems on campus. These places are great for you to relax, maybe take a nap, and get some delicious food to keep you going. Sometimes life can be a bit overwhelming for us students, especially during the pandemic, so it is important for us to take steps to still live and study well. Some of these places may be closed or have restrictions currently but be sure to check them out once they reopen.

To motivate you, here are my top 5 places on campus that are worth checking out:

Let’s start off with the Bullring, located next to Mackinnon and just a short walk from the cannon. The Bullring has the perfect retro/vintage vibe from the comfy couches to the chill music playing. But of course, the Bullring is the first on this list due to its delicious food. They have a healthy menu with a wide variety of options, such as vegan, fair trade, and organic coffee. My pro tip is to get the chipotle chicken wrap in between classes, you won’t regret it. Did I mention that the Bullring is open late? Open until 10pm on most nights and until midnight on Wednesdays, this is the perfect place to grab a bite when you spend your late nights on campus.
Feeling stressed out? Take a walk through the Arboretum! It’s located right next to the main campus and features 400 acres of nature and walking trails. The Arboretum looks gorgeous in any weather and will certainly take your mind off that upcoming midterm, quiz, or project for a little bit. Don’t know exactly where to go? Come to the Arboretum kiosk at 12:15pm every Wednesday to join a one hour guided tour. Let the Arboretum’s Naturalist Intern introduce do you the amazing nature around that will for sure nourish your body and mind.
You’ll never catch me on campus without a coffee in my hand. Luckily, Pages coffeehouse located on the second floor of the MacNaughton Building always has me covered. Did you know they have a fully functioning Tim Hortons, located right on central campus? All those delicious wraps and soups you love from Tim Hortons can be easily purchased in between classes. The coffeehouse also has multiple tables and chairs to relax and sit with friends. They have large windows overlooking Branion Plaza, providing plenty of natural light while you get your readings done. Just be aware that they close early!
Another great place to relax and unwind is the gym located in the W. F. Mitchell Athletic Centre. Not a fan of working out? You can still get your daily exercise in by attending a drop-in recreation activity. There’s a wide variety of activities you can try, from recreation swimming to boxing. You might even find a new interest with all the cool activities going on, such as disc golf or pickleball. You can rent out the needed equipment for your preferred activity right at the front desk.
I couldn’t possibly end this list without showing the south side of campus some love. If you haven’t checked out Mountain café in Mountain Hall South Residence, I highly recommend you do. In my first year, this was my place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mountain has a wide variety of food options, such as a salad bar, pasta, pizza, burgers, and daily specials. If you enter the dining hall directly, you also have the options of pastries, deli sandwiches, and specialty beverages. It’s no wonder they call it south love with how good the food will make you feel.

I hope you get the chance to check out these gems and feel nourished and positive during your time on campus. Take advantage of the great locations and activities offered at the University of Guelph in order to live well and put your best work forward. Have a great semester!