One step. That’s all it takes to be swept up by the sheer liveliness and energy of Taylor’s Lakeside Campus. From the bustling, noisy crowds at every corner to the massive scale of the university, it can feel overwhelming and nearly impossible to find a quiet spot to release the tension. In light of International Self-Care Day, let's take a step back, destress, and immerse ourselves in a zen environment, nurturing our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Reading this, some may wonder, “Why should I find a quiet place to rest? I prefer background noise!” And well, that’s completely valid—we all have personal preferences. However, give us a chance and let us open your eyes to the many benefits calm and quiet spaces can give! 

Surrounding yourself in a quiet bubble can improve your health and boost your academic performance, which is especially important with exam season coming up! In terms of health, a calm space can lower your blood pressure and improve insomnia. Silence can even be more effective at calming you down than slow, calming music! Besides that, some peace and quiet can enhance your concentration and creativity, both of which are crucial when it comes to studying for exams and brainstorming for assignments. This can improve your efficiency and productivity and ensure you’re on your A-game academically.

Being in zen settings is a form of self-care on its own. Even if you spend just a few minutes in uninterrupted silence, it gives you the chance to reflect on your day and organise your racing thoughts. It can also help shift your perspective to a newer and more positive view of your situation and experiences.

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of silence and quiet environments, it’s time to tackle the question:  “Where exactly do we rest on campus?! I can hardly find a spot to eat during lunch hour!” Fear not dear reader, we’ve come to the rescue! It’s time to go on an adventure all around Taylor’s campus to find the rare, precious hidden havens that you may not know about.

Among all the locations on campus, there are a few star places where we can (almost) guarantee you can study in peace. One of the most underrated is the Recharge Room at Block D, Level 7. A simple yet comfortable spot on campus, fully equipped with a fridge and microwave in case you want to happily nom away on your food. This space certainly has it all when it comes to being one of the best places to study and relax!

Common Ground, located on the very bottom floor of Syopz Mall, is a more spacious area to study in. With individual studying pods, designated collaboration centres and even a cafe, Common Ground is certainly on the top of the list of places you could study on campus that is easily accessible to all students alike. This makes it an ideal place to grab a nice iced coffee and put your mind to rest (...or to work, if you’re wrapping up assignments).

When you think of Taylor’s campus, one of the most iconic spots you can think of is without a doubt, the lake! With a nice breeze, some shade, and the lovely sight of nature and our resident ducks, the lake can provide a serene environment, provided you go at just the right times; in the morning around 6am-10am or in the evening after 6pm. That way, you can avoid the bustling crowds coming in and out of classes and stay away from the blazing sun!

We’re all familiar with sacrificing our sleep schedules in favour of doing work (or more like, we’re forced against our wills…). Even so, caffeine-fueled students like us need to get some shut-eye every once in a while—and the library’s Cinema Room on Level 3 is one of the perfect places to do so! This cold, cosy space with dimmed lights and comfortable chairs, is definitely top-rated among Taylor’s students when it comes to the best places to take a nap— just be sure to bring along some earphones or headphones.

A more unconventional option, if you can convince at least three friends to tag along, are the library Discussion Rooms. These rooms are certainly a good location for a short but sweet power nap and tick all the boxes you could have. Secluded? Check! Quiet? Check! Cooling breeze? Check! To add to this, in the discussion rooms, you have access to the connectable monitors in case you and your friends want to listen to music while you rest. But please remember to engage in some discussion before you rest and don’t abuse the system, as other students may also want to use them!

Studying, sleeping, chatting—countless things can be done in these hidden havens, but I want to highlight a category of activities that can help release tension and enhance your self-care journey: mindfulness activities. ‘Mindfulness activities’ is an umbrella term for a variety of exercises aimed at maintaining your peace of mind. Among them, the simplest that you can do whenever, wherever, are breathing exercises. Taking a nice, deep breath to calm anxiety and take in your surroundings can go a long way in keeping your cool. Mindfulness activities can also appeal to creatives, with activities such as colouring and doodling providing therapeutic value and offering a good way to unwind. 

Alas, our journey has come to an end. In short, finding peace on campus can greatly benefit you in more ways than one, from boosting your health to providing calming activities to unwind. It’s clear that hidden havens, silence, rest, and self-care all go hand in hand in improving your overall well-being. It is crucial to take ample time for yourself, to breathe and get some shut-eye, no matter how hard academics or life becomes. Being mindful and treating yourself and your body to some much-needed tender loving care (TLC) is a good practice and habit for you to implement in the long run.