The Observer, April 18, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 25
The Observer's guide to summer living at Case
click to enlarge
Staying on campus this summer? Whether you are working, taking classes, or simply trying to avoid your nagging parents, summer living here on campus is quite different from typical semester life at Case. The lack of a meal plan can be rough on the unprepared (and the unprepared wallet), as can the lack of people and activities. But that is not to say that staying the summer is not worthwhile. There are ways to avoid a summer slump and make summer as enjoyable as a typical semester.
Even though there is no convenient meal plan during the summer, there are still plenty of venues where food is readily available for little money. Nearby options include the faculty cafeteria in the basement of Tomlinson, which has a conveniently located Subway for grabbing lunch on the quad, the SAGES Café in Crawford, and the BRBistro in the Biomedical Research Building. For some slightly farther lunch or dinner spots, check out Teahouse Noodles on Murray Hill or Tommy's in Coventry for those willing to venture out a bit. Also, don't forget about take-out food. There are a plethora of Chinese and pizza joints around, all readily stocked for you to take advantage of.
Plan on keeping a well stocked supply of food in your dorm room as well. You can't always afford to grab lunch in a restaurant, so brown bag it to save some dough. Dave's Market is located extremely close to campus, making it very easy to buy weekly groceries. If you have some extra time on a weekend, consider taking a trip to the West Side Market to buy bulk quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables. Planning nightly dinners with other friends who are also staying on campus is both a fun and economical option. You may even get some leftovers to take home and heat up the next day!
Another major difference between staying on campus during the semester and during the summer is that there are not many events happening on campus. Instead of moping around your room, complaining about the lack of things to do, use the summer to explore Cleveland and check out everything you never had time for during the school year. Consider taking a trip to the Botanical Gardens checking out the latest art exhibit, or venturing downtown for an Indians game. Another good option is to plan a trip to Cedar Point with some friends. The important thing is to stay proactive and to plan ahead. Before summer's start, make a checklist of all the things you want to do and refer to it when things start to get a little boring.
If you don't have the means to venture off campus, there are still plenty of things you can do right here at Case. Veale Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer, making it convenient to fit working out into your daily schedule. Additionally, take advantage of the beautiful summer weather by organizing weekly Frisbee or capture the flag tournaments with your friends.
Finally, one of the best ways to enjoy your summer is to just walk around. A simple idea, but campus is really quite beautiful once the fountains are turned back on and the flowers start growing again. Though it might be hard to believe after a long, nasty winter, Case is really quite a nice place to be during the summer, provided you put in the effort to make it fun.
