College students have been doing more than just studying. From giving students the opportunity to stargaze under the Adirondack sky or to spend time in an on-campus movie theater, college campuses across the United States harbor hidden gems unknown to many Convent of the Sacred Heart students. 

For students at St. Lawrence University, the opportunity to disconnect from society and embrace nature is not far away. A small group of students can choose to live in an electronic-free leather tent, otherwise known as a yurt, in the Adirondacks. This allows them to study both the environment and human relationships with nature. Students at the university also take frequent field trips to enhance their education and completely immerse themselves in the natural world, according to stlawu.edu.

Furman University in Greeneville, South Carolina offers another unique college experience. The establishment converted a Buddhist temple into a building called The Place of Peace. The temple was dismantled into more than 2,400 pieces and transported from Hei-Sei-Ji, Japan through the Panama Canal to Furman University in 2008. According to furman.edu, the university hopes that the Place of Peace’s organic garden and eco-cottage will help community members promote environmental responsibility.

Additionally, students living in Simmons Hall at Massachusetts Institute of Technology can take a study break in their indoor ball pit playpen or watch a movie in their indoor theater. The building’s architecture has won many awards for its unique features. Hundreds of small windows stretch across the buildings walls, creating a sponge-like exterior, according to simmons.mit.edu.
High Point University in North Carolina has been described as “the college of your wildest dreams,” according to huntingtonpost.com. Students can spend their free time in the on-campus movie theater, swimming pool or all-inclusive arcade. There is also an on-campus steak house as well as an ice cream truck that poses no additional charge for the students. Out of concern for the health and well being of its students, the university has a masseuse on campus as well as puppies for the students to play with to help reduce stress.
The opportunities that these campuses provide encourage Sacred Heart students to include the schools in their college searches.
“I had no idea colleges could have such interesting campuses. I’m definitely going to look at these colleges next year,” sophomore Cynthia Thomas said.
– Katie Nail, Staff Writer