Sometimes college life can feel monotonous. Constantly moving between class, the library and home can leave you feeling bored and isolated. If you find yourself stuck navigating between the same spaces everyday, it might be time to find a third place.
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third places” in 2000. According to the Project for Public Spaces, Oldenburg said, “In contrast to first places (home) and second places (work), third places allow people to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.”
Third places are typically public, and allow informal interactions between acquainted and unacquainted people. Social equity is promoted by these spaces, and the conversation strengthens both the community and the individuals taking part.
In college, it is inherently encouraged to have a third space by becoming involved on campus and integrating with the rest of the student body. However, it can be difficult to become involved when students are facing the stress of academic life, and many people may find themselves without a third place.
Even for extremely involved students, third places may become a club meeting, or a place where they go to study. These can quickly become as monotonous as being in class or in the dorm.
As a student, finding a third place away from academic life is important to maintain a fresh perspective and avoid becoming bored by a schedule.
At Ohio University, there are numerous third places where students gather to socialize away from the demands of everyday life. From coffee shops on Court Street to lounges in academic buildings, there is always a place where new faces can be found and connections can be made.
The first step in finding a third place is understanding what you’re looking for — a quiet space where you can study, a place to meet new people or somewhere to explore a new hobby.
Fortunately, college is one of the few times in life where finding a third place can be easy and accessible. OU has a variety of options on and off campus.
Baker University Center is the central hub of student activity on campus. Students can find clubs meeting at any time of the day or night, live events, food and even areas to sit and talk with friends.
If you are looking to start a new hobby, Ping Recreation Center offers a multitude of physical activities. Ping even offers guided classes and hosts a variety of gatherings, if getting started at the gym sounds intimidating.
Despite being academic spaces, many of the buildings on campus have areas where students can sit and interact with others. The best case scenario is finding a building where you do not have any classes to truly separate work from play.
Common areas in dorms can provide an area of social activity. Although it is an off-shoot of where you may live, finding a place close to where you already frequent increases the likelihood of spending more time in a third place.
If spending more time on campus seems unappealing, there are also a vast number of off-campus options for third places.
Court Street has many coffee houses and sandwich shops that provide a comfortable environment to sit down with friends or even experience a live performance. At night, bars thrive with activity and hold abstract and exciting events.
However, if going out or sitting down for a coffee is not your jam, Athens is also covered in areas free to explore and gather.
The Athens Community Center and Athens Public Library are quiet but public areas where the community comes together to socialize and interact. These can be accessed via the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, which twists lazily around South Green and follows the Hocking River into town.
The 22-mile bikeway is a staple in Athens’ outdoor recreation and provides another third place option. Taking a bike ride or sitting along the path can provide a breath of fresh air to the stressed out college student.
In lieu of biking or walking, public transportation is your friend when finding a third place off-campus. Buses traverse around the region, stopping at a variety of areas with new spaces to explore and potential third places to find. Although Southeast Ohio is often regarded as empty, the area opens up with opportunity and the right mindset.
Third places do not have to be an area originally designated for social activity. The only requirement is that each provides a respite away from academia, where social interaction can flourish without the stress of college life.
