Fun on campus is possible

So you've grown bored of looking at the trees and playing on the quads of Hopkins' awesome campus? Not to worry; there are plenty of other campus excitements all within easy walking distance of your dorm! Everyone knows about the AC, sure, but not everyone knows about free doughnuts. Interested? Read on.

First things first -- the athletic center, commonly known as the AC, is a very recent addition to Hopkins and is open virtually all of the time. Whatever kind of sport or physical activity you may be into, you can probably find someone who shares your interests at the AC.

There are state-of-the-art weight machines, treadmills, basketball and racquetball courts, an inside track, a pool and even a rock climbing wall. If you don't play a sport, then it's a great time to pick one up and make some friends in the process! The rock climbing wall and racquetball courts are especially recommended.

While the weather is still warm, chill out summer-style on the "beach." No, we aren't cool enough to be on the ocean, or even a really big lake, but Hopkins has it's own non-sand grassy area in front of the MSE where plenty of people fry themselves in bikinis.

The beach is the perfect place to throw around a frisbee with some friends, strum away to the wind on your guitar or lay back on a blanket and read a good book. On nice days, people even bring out their dogs to run around while girls coo at how cute they are. Best of all, you can relax on the beach all day and night.

Prefer a computer mouse to a lacrosse stick? Perhaps the digital media center at Mattin Center is more your speed. Students can use a wide array of high-tech goodies: Mac and PC desktops with graphics, video and sound editing programs, film scanners, digitizing tablets, wide-format high quality inkjet printers and digital camcorders. You can even sign out certain equipment to use on your own projects.

For the more electronic entertainment oriented, E-Level in Levering offers a close retreat. With Playstations and pool tables, the atmosphere almost necessitates mellowing out. Grab a burger, plop down on a comfy sofa, and watch daytime soaps in-between class.

The observatory on the roof of the Bloomberg building is a perfect on-campus getaway for star-lovers, and those couples looking for a cheap date. The observatory is open to the general public every Friday night beginning at dark. The view from the top was the perfect way to see Mars, with your arm around a hot chick or a buff boy. Whether alone or with friends, bring some cookies and gaze into the great big Milky Way.

Artsier types may be interested in Coffee Grounds, a chill-out coffee shop and hang-out place also located in the Mattin Center. If you have some special talent that you just can't wait to show off, you can show up to open mic night on Fridays. Sing a song, dance a jig, recite a poem, play an instrument...the possibilities are endless.

Of course, you could just sit around with your friends or play a game of chess or checkers. What could be better than sitting around and chatting with your friends? The answer, of course, is the free Krispy Kreme donuts, tea and coffee that you get just for showing up!

Too lazy to even lounge around with a cup of hot chocolate? Watch a movie at Shriver auditorium! You'll have to look on the Daily Jolt (jhu.dailyjolt.com) to see what's playing and when, but the effort is definitely worth it. You get a huge screen, comfortable seats, and a THX-quality sound system. Shriver may not have all the latest blockbusters showing in the theaters, but for the price, you really can't go wrong.

At least once during the year, get off your butt and head out to a lacrosse game in the spring, or even a football game in the fall. Watch Hopkins lacrosse cheerleaders (yes, we do have cheerleaders) and sing the fight song along with the pep band. Whether or not we win, the experience is sure to boost school spirit.

If you want to meet new people, joining a student group is the perfect way to get your name out there and have fun without a textbook. Join an intramural sports team, sing your heart out with one of the many a capella groups or get in touch with your roots in the Chinese Students Association or Black Student Union. Cultural groups usually have fun party nights open to everyone, members and nonmembers, with tasty cuisine and tunes to get you in the groove. Whatever your pleasure, there's a group at Hopkins that will make you feel right at home.