Picture taken by NYC tourism.com 

Many people can tell you about Harlem and its history; They will tell you how City College was founded or talk about topics like architecture, social differences, racial disputes, etc. However, the best way to describe Harlem as a Freshman student who commutes to a school there is by showcasing some of the places I have found during my free time.  

During my first semester at CCNY, my schedule was very complicated and made me spend more than 8 hours around campus. Now, what exactly did I do during my long gaps? To find an area where I could spend some time, I spent mostly fifteen minutes walking and eventually, I would find a single chair in the middle of a hallway. Despite this, what you mainly have to consider is that you will only have a little luck all the time.

So what do we do when someone else is occupying the only spot you know? Let me share some of the places around City College which I have found and spent most of my time. All the places you choose to spend your time depend on your major and the building where you mostly have your classes. If you are a freshman like me, you may find yourself the majority of the time at the North Academic Center. At CCNY, finding a quiet and nice spot where you can charge your devices, complete your assignments, take a quick nap, or just rest in general can be challenging.                

 I’ve always been someone who likes quiet places like libraries, so visiting the library at my school was a must for me. The Cohen Library is composed of five floors in which many students go to do research and complete their work. Rather than only being a place to find your sources for an essay, it regards some stations where you can charge your devices. You can find cubicles, study rooms upon reservation, and printing stations. The perfect place where you can always find an available spot for you. 

Along with this Library, The Shepard Hall has to be mention. Even though I only enter this building for one class, I would say this is a quiet building I’ve been at. I recommend this place to you if you have an early gap. Since there are barely any people in the building, there is a high chance that this one would be mainly empty at the time you need it. Unlike the NAC, I believe this building is more related to the arts and music majors. 

The distance between the Shepard Hall building and the NAC is not excessive, so aside from convenience, it won’t take you too long to get there and go back for your next class. Inside there are several benches you can utilize. Not only to rest but also to get some work done. It is an agreeable space where there won’t be a lot of noise for at least the whole time you’re there. 

For the most part, finding a place to hang around might seem difficult at first even so there’s still a chance for you to find a good spot if you explore new places. It took me a while to get used to the school and even today I still try to find new spots because being in the same place for your whole time at college might be tiring. So, always try to adventure your school or workplace because you never know what you can find.