Top 3 Places at Spelman
Lyric Eshoe
There's no better place to spend the month of February than on Spelman's campus. In a month dedicated to celebrating black history and love in all its forms, being surrounded by Black excellence and the care of my Spelman siblings is the perfect combo to be reminded of. As the weather in Atlanta starts to slip into one of its fake spring micro-seasons, I’ve spent a lot more time outside walking around and taking in what the campus has to offer. In the spirit of the loving season, I’d like to take this time to share my love for the campus as a whole and the underrated spaces and elements that I indeed would not be able to function without.
The Elevator in Giles
Giles, my beloved, If no one else is going to ensure that I'm getting my steps around campus, it’s you! There is no greater heartbreak in life than having your first class in Giles up on the 4rth floor (shout-out AVC Department) and not being able to find the elevator. Convincing yourself, you can just do the long walk up without the elevator sounds good until you get up to about the halfway point at the second floor and realize the mistake you’ve made. By the time you breathlessly trudge yourself into whatever class you’re meant to be in, the sympathetic glances and echos of ‘ah you took the stairs huh,’ will be enough to put you off from ever doing that trek again (unless it's a Code Red Beyonce level of an emergency). So thank you, Giles elevator, for teaching me the value of patience.
The Patio in Upper Manley
I mentioned the weather on campus earlier, and that's because it genuinely is a plot point. I feel like I dress differently to each of my classes, and it's purely based on the fact that by the time I bundle up to run over to my 10 am in what feels like the dead of winter, I come back out, and it may as well be the summer solstice. I often want nothing more than to relax in the mid-afternoon sunshine and forget about all my worries on campus. It's quite peaceful and serene until the wonderful ‘wildlife’ of campus comes out. Between the squirrels and the mosquitos, I am often quickly reminded of why I tend to enjoy the outdoors from behind my window in the Suites. However, the patio in Upper Manley is there for me when I need it most. It's perfectly shaded and placed in the perfect spot that allows me to microdose the feeling of being outside and enjoying the breeze while still being able to plug up my laptop and do school work (or play the Sims).
The Amphitheater
Okay, hear me out, I know I just spoke about my preferences for Spelman's more covered outdoor places, but the amphitheater is one of the most versatile places on campus. First of all, it's a bomb place to take pictures. I know the brick wall over by the Student Center is an absolute staple, but don't knock the greenery at the bottom of the ‘stage’ area. It's also a great place to do a workaround. I’ve frequently found myself out there doing my film exercises for class due to how dynamic the area is, while still being one of the quieter spaces on campus just to relax. Whether you’re meeting up with someone on campus or just activating your melanin, this is one of the best places on campus to appreciate the beauty of Spelman truly.
Seeing as the sunlight is starting to stay out longer and I’m finally getting to experience my first spring on the campus I look forward to this list growing as I find out what else is out there to be discovered.