Best places to socialise on campus

Whether you’re a fresher or an off-campus student, you’ll inevitably spend a great deal of time on campus grounds. Outside of lecture halls, spending time with friends or meeting new people is a central part of university life. Whether you’re into teatime gossip or study hangouts, here is my list of the best spots on campus to socialise. 
 

The UG Space at WBS

Exclusively designed for Warwick Business School students, the facility boasts a dozen shared desks and screens as well as two conference rooms and a kitchen.

It is a lively coworking space, much loved by students who are between classes, or as a meeting point for group studying. Personally, it is one of my favourite spots on campus: while noisier than the library, the atmosphere is still conducive to work and productivity. And, as a hotspot of WBS, you’ll frequently find yourself running into friends and classmates. I find it to be the perfect balance between managing my social agenda and getting work done.

That said, bear in mind that during the last few weeks of term, when deadlines are approaching, the space often becomes the unofficial dwelling of half the cohort. To avoid the impediment of mid-afternoon seat hunting, I recommend arriving around noon.

WBS Café

A couple of steps away down the hall, you’ll find the WBS Café: an animated dining hall that also doubles as a coffee shop. Past the cafeteria benches, you’ll find several coffee tables at the back, and even a small lounge furnished with sofas, armchairs and white boards.

It is the perfect place to unwind after a lecture with a hot cup of tea, set up informal appointments or catch up with friends away from study rooms. It also doubles as a study space for students who enjoy a cosier study vibe. I find one of its strongest assets to be its location: unlike other cafés such as Curiositea or Prêt, it is right next to seminar rooms, lecture halls and the UG space, which comes in handy for us busy students.

Curiositea

Although I may be slightly biased by my sweet tooth, Curiositea is a definite must-visit spot. Located in the Piazza, it features a dozen or so coffee tables and cosy armchairs and stands out for its relaxed atmosphere. There, you’ll find a series of weekly specials, hot and cold drinks, as well as a range of delicious savoury and sweet snacks- (a special mention to the desserts display). Overall, it is a fantastic spot to catch up on gossip over a hot chocolate, grab a bite to eat between classes, or simply relax in a cosy, out-of-time setting.
 

The Sports Centre

Although I find its sociability potential varies depending on the kind of sport you practice, the Sports Centre is one of the most frequented places on campus.

Hangouts between classes tend to be quite popular among students, ranging from club events to tennis or badminton practice, gym sessions or even rock climbing. As an avid swimmer, I am personally none of the above; nonetheless I often get to meet other swim enthusiasts during my sessions.

This said, I find that the Sports Centre stands in the middle of the sociability spectrum: it largely depends on the activity you practice, as much as your willingness to socialise.

This concludes the shortlist of my favourite social spots on campus. Given the range of the latter, no list could ever cover all the gathering spots. However, as a general rule, just remember that many study spaces can be considered a social space. Students are always eager to chat with whoever is willing to listen, so no matter where you go, you are guaranteed to make some of the most unexpected encounters!