Being a college student is hard. The long hours of studying. Exams. Jobs. But Guilford has done its best to foster a community that reduces the academic strain on students, and this begins with its unique environment.
For students and frankly, human beings, it’s important to pause and reflect. But where is the best place to do this?
Last week I had the opportunity to interview several students about their favorite “secret spots” on campus. Now, this may be an open secret or somewhere totally under the radar to the rest of the Guilford community.
Viv Cavataio, a freshman, had a very particular requirement when she was looking at schools.
“One of my must-haves while I was taking college tours was a water feature,” said Cavataio. Naturally, her “secret spot” on campus is none other than the lake. She visits 1-2 times a week, typically more in the Fall when the weather is warm.
“I love being outside, and the warm weather,” said Cavataio, who’s from Pennsylvania. For her, the lake is a safe space where she can clear her head or have some privacy to call home. She believes other students should visit too. As a Creative Writing major, Cavataio would convince students to come by writing a story.
Still, there is one thing Cavataio would change. She would like to have more benches for seating, and some picnic tables for students to enjoy meals.
Computer Science major Aprilia Grimaldo-Welsh and Art major Parker O’Keefe met during their freshman year at Guilford and became increasingly drawn to the woods.
O’Keefe first visited the woods in 2023 when she found the swing. “I was taking a walk,” said O’Keefe, “and thought ‘let’s get lost.’”
O’Keefe was initially shocked by how beautiful the space was. In the spring semester, it’s cool and still as you watch the night sky press down from above. O’Keefe likes to visit with friends or empty her mind. She enjoys how freeing being on the swing feels, and it allows her time to focus on the motions of her body.
Grimaldo-Welsh and O’Keefe have made several memories with the swing. They are often found lying flat on their backs where they can look up through the trees. For Grimaldo-Welsh, it gives them the opportunity to relax and take their mind off stress.
“[The] woods have a very specific feeling at night,” said Grimaldo-Welsh. “It feels almost like a connection to the greater world. To be connected to that is really special.”
Grimaldo-Welsh and O’Keefe visit at least once every two weeks and believe more students should visit because it’s reminiscent of a playground. Grimaldo-Welsh and O’Keefe encourage other students to visit when they’re with friends or just need a really good scream.
Like Cavataio, Grimaldo-Welsh and O’Keefe agree there should be more seating near their secret spot. The more the merrier! And with Spring right around the corner, it’s safe to say their secret spots will become much more popular.
