I do about 75% of my studying in my dorm room. I can get up and move around and listen to music and snack in my room (now apartment). Maybe 15% of the time, I study in our house lounge or the beautiful economics building for a change of scenery and some extra socialization. But the other 10% is my sanity-saver.
Sometime last year, probably the first time my parents came to visit me, I realized that I really love the Hyatt Place hotel 7 blocks from my dorm. The lobby has huge windows that let in loads of natural light and look out on the moderately-busy, store-filled street. The staff members are endlessly nice. I can order tortilla soup and buy candy to snack on. there are lots of comfortable chairs. I commented to my mom that it’s the perfect study space for me. She said I should come over and study sometimes, then.
Honestly, I thought that was a little weird. I figured I would only be allowed to be there if I was actually staying there. But I started going stir-crazy studying in my little room and really needed a change of pace, so I headed over to the hotel a few weeks later and ordered some soup and opened my computer. It was the most productive study day I had had in a while.
Thereafter, the hotel became my location of choice for the floating 10% of my studying. I’d pick an afternoon most weeks, head over to the hotel, and eat soup and chocolate while working on econ reading or linear algebra homework. On days I was particularly hungry, the staff would tease me about cutting me off from the Peanut M&Ms I kept buying. They would add extra tortilla chips on the side of my soup. They would tell me the Wi-Fi password when they changed it. No one ever questioned the fact that I wasn’t staying there.
It kind of became a second (third?) home, or at least a comfort zone. If I was feeling lonely or unfocused, I knew it was probably a good time to head to the hotel and hang out for a few productive hours.
People sometimes asked why I’d go to the hotel. UChicago is full of libraries and coffee shops and little study nooks perfect for escaping your dorm room if that’s your goal. But usually when I go to the Hyatt Place, it’s not just because I don’t want to be in my dorm room. It’s a little more because I don’t want to be at UChicago. Not permanently, of course. Just for the afternoon.
I love where I go to school, and I love many of the people I spend my days with - don’t get me wrong. But last year, I often felt horribly out of place. I value being highly productive (to a fault, admittedly), I honestly prefer to spend my weekend nights working than partying, and I often miss my family and the friends with whom I grew so close throughout high school. Most of last year, I felt like other people were just easily falling into place at school, and I totally wasn’t. I felt like I was surrounded by people who wanted to procrastinate and stay out late and were all automatically best friends, and whether it was true or not, I felt like I was kind of on the outside of all that.
Going to the hotel and getting out of the college bubble, even if barely, was the personal reminder I needed that I was okay and that I was likable and that I could do my own thing and be happy.
I hadn’t been to the hotel all school year, but I was really craving a change of pace this weekend. After class on Friday, I took myself to lunch at Chipotle, walked to the Hyatt to work on some blog stuff and summer applications, and took another class at CorePower before heading back to my dorm for the night. Yesterday, I spent most my day off class there. I ate an early lunch and headed to the Hyatt to work on applications and some writing.
I settled in with my computer, bought some candy, and snacked on probably too much sugar while working away before going to yoga and heading back to campus and crashing for the night.
So while I’m absolutely in a much better place than I was last year, sometimes I still need the reminder that it’s completely okay to do my own thing. And I still go to the Hyatt for it.
Do you have a home away from home?
I totally get this! When I was in college I often went to my local Wegmans to work and eat because they have a coffee bar and it’s a change of scenery. I could be away from the other students most of whom I was older than. I was able to get a lot of work done there and the staff was always nice and gave me free samples. Sometimes being introverted benefits school work lol
Haha yeah. Sometimes group study is beneficial, but I usually prefer to study solo!
I never thought to go to a hotel lobby! I used to go to the local Panera when I was in school. Getting out of my room was so important to studying.
Nothing makes me feel quite like getting all my work done in one sitting. I probably chose studying over social life a little TOO often in undergrad, but I just loved the quiet working time.
Oh, believe me, if we had Panera nearby, I’d SO be there ? I think I also err on the side of too much studying, but… I guess I really enjoy it. I came to school here because I love learning. I like the social aspect, too, but I crave my focused work time.
I think that’s pretty cool! We all have our favorite little spots that make us feel “right and at peace” enough to do out own thing!
So, so true!
This totally resonates with me too as there were times I definitely needed to escape the bubble in order to both get work done and preserve my sanity!
The hotel and its staff sound lovely 🙂
It’s so strange - university environments are a huge place of exploration and freedom, but they’re so self-contained that they can definitely be a bit stifling sometimes. Getting outside of it is key for staying sane!
Now I’m craving peanut M&M’s big time! I think I’ll go see if I have any left in my Halloween stash haha 😉
Blessings,
Edye
Peanut M&Ms are the best!
I love this! It’s funny how different places just feel right - even when they seem totally unusual!
It’s super strange, but it feels nice to find those little pockets of the world where you’re just ultra comfortable ❤️
seersuckersass says
I never would have thought about this! There’s a hotel across the street from my alma mater that I’ve stayed at a few times, and I just love the environment.
XO, SS || Seersucker Sass
You can find comfort in the oddest places! ?
Anonymous says
Hi Ellen!
I’m older than you, and the paragraph you wrote about valuing being productive over procrastinating really resonated with me. Yes, when I was in college, I admit I chose procrastinating and socializing over studying more than I should have, and looking back I regret it. In the long run, I wish I’d approached college the exact way you did, and thought to get out of the bubble and study at a hotel! We had great hotels on our campus. You’re not out of place, you’re just more forward-thinking than many of your peers. I hope this helps.
Hi! I’m sorry to hear you regret that aspect of your college experience, but I really appreciate your insights and reassurance. Thanks so much for sharing, and thanks for reading ❤️
I definitely have experienced those type of lobby/lounge/library situations, and the cozy ambiance and inviting nature certain establishments have just makes you want to curl up and settle in. And the warm and welcoming reception from staff members does make a huge difference, as you said (it’s pretty awesome that your Hyatt people are so nice!)! But I think my true home away from home would be either my aunt’s house or my cousin’s. I’ve spent so much time at both that I feel completely comfortable and I can be totally myself.
Extended family is pretty great ❤️
I love quiet places… Hmm… I would say that my grandparents is my home away from home. It’s super quiet. No internet actually, so I do a lot of book reading. 🙂
I read a lot at my grandparents’, too! And soak up all the family love ❤️
Danielle says
Yes! I get SO much work done when I’m staying at hotels, so I definitely understand this. I’ve found that certain environments work best for different tasks I’m doing, too. I love going to coffee shops, but I often can’t write anything too in-depth while I’m there.
It’s funny how our environments condition us to think a little differently!