Are you new to Fresno City College and still do not have any real place to go between classes to relax or meet some new friends?
With the campus accommodating
more students this semester than ever, it can take a while for things to slow down, and for a new student, finding one’s niche is even more difficult. If you are still looking for that special place, don’t worry or start planning your transfer just yet. Here is a list of places on campus where you can find some time to yourself, get comfortable, and relax or study.
First on the list is the Student
Lounge, found north of the fountains in the Cafeteria building. It is the place you go to get your ID card, and it has plenty of comfortable
seating and computers. There is room to stretch and lay down in the room, and it is pleasant enough to relax.
The building is air conditioned,
but not to the point where one freezes if they stay there too long. It’s calm enough to study, spacious enough to play some cards, and quiet enough to take a quick nap between classes. Overall,
it’s a nice place to be, with no real drawbacks aside from that the computers are just about always in use.
Next up is the Pacific Café, endearingly referred to by some as Yoshinos. It is across from the Cafeteria, in the same building as the on-campus bookstore. The seating is comfortable enough, and the tables are just large enough to allow two people to do their homework
or study. Air conditioning is always on, and extended stays might warrant a second layer of clothing because of how cool it gets. The heater turns on in the winter, which is rather comfortable.
In the first couple of months, it’s a bit loud because it is always busy, but that is to be expected; it is a restaurant, and students usually
go there to eat. It is a nice place with a decent enough menu if the seating is available, but don’t expect to fall asleep there anytime soon.
A bit of a hidden favorite is the Theatre Quad, located outside the Music/Theatre Arts building. Although it is still a bit warm to be outdoors, almost the entire quad is blanketed in shade from nearby trees. The firm stone seating around the theatre building is surprisingly
comfortable. Remarkably, it is quieter than the student lounge, because there are fewer people at the theatre quad at any given time, and there is more space around. You may be vulnerable to the elements out there, but it is a peaceful, comfortable place.
Last but not least is the Library and Media Center, which borders the fountains and the south quad. The place is huge, and it seems to hover at 75 degrees no matter what time it is. There’s always plenty of seating and reading
material, and it is definitely
peaceful enough to get some much-needed rest. The chairs are a little uncomfortable,
but no more so than those in most classrooms. What makes the library stand out is the incredible silence. It is nice, but quiet in that eerie, awkward, restricted kind of way. Regardless, it is a great place to unwind, and there is no lack of things to do there.
There are many other hidden
comfortable nooks and places around campus; all you need to do is be creative and find your own little corner. One of these days, take the time to explore the FCC campus a little and get around to some of the off-the-beaten-path areas that allow some freedom. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find.