Unwind from midterms at these calming campus hideaways

With midterm season finally over, students are looking for places to destress and forget all the studying and anxiety that comes with college life. But the Rutgers—New Brunswick campus always has something going on — it's hard to find somewhere quiet.

Luckily, there are some beautiful spots hiding in plain sight if you're just willing to look.

Here is a list of serene places students can go to take a break from work instead of doomscrolling or staying in their residence halls. 

Rutgers Gardens and The Foran Hall Conservation Garden

The Rutgers Gardens is a botanical garden located near the Rutgers—New Brunswick campus with free admission all year round. It's open Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is connected to the Rutgers student farm program.

On the lush 180-acre plain, you'll find both scenic views and informative sessions, if your brain is still able to soak up any more information. The garden offers opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in experiential and service-learning programs.

Rutgers Gardens even has guided tours you can take — professionals will show you around the space and impart some history. The space is best accessed by car since it is not directly connected to a Rutgers campus or bus stop. 

This space doesn't just give students a great backdrop to relax — you can also get good food!

Just a short walk from Harvest Café is also the Foran Hall Conservation Garden, which was established in 2001. Following the path will lead you to a secluded garden and gazebo that can be a beautiful place to eat, chat with friends or simply enjoy nature.

It's surrounded by plants, making the space feel private and safe. The trees and foliage around it make it a satisfying area to view the changing seasons and reconnect with nature.

Cook Student Center Patio

This is a much less popular location, but it deserves a mention nonetheless.

Next to the Cook Student Center, there's a cluster of picnic tables under trees surrounded by bushes and flowers, accessible by a stone path from the parking lot or a wooden bridge that connects it to the road. If you're trying to get some work done, look no further.

This spot is incredibly gorgeous this time of year due to the changing leaves and the general woodsy atmosphere of the campus and, by extension, this space. Right inside, there's also the Cook Café.

Passion Puddle 

Although this is a well-known area of the Douglass campus, Passion Puddle is still one of the most incredible spots on campus to get away from the hustle and bustle of student life. Aside from the romantic superstition around the puddle that gives it its name, there are many benches, seats and open areas for relaxing next to the water.

As you walk around the puddle, there are signs guiding you through any doubts, telling you to be present in the moment. It makes the space ideal for meditation.

If you're there for long enough, you might be able to spot some of the animals that are a staple, such as the turtles, cranes and fish! 

Zimmerli Art Museum 

This isn't an outdoor space, but the Zimmerli Art Museum on the College Avenue campus hits a very specific niche on this list. It takes students away from their academic lives and into a world of art and creativity.

There are many thought-provoking exhibits occurring at the moment, including "Smoke and Mirrors" and "Michelle V. Agins: Storyteller." Even if you just go for a quick stroll, it provides you with an opportunity to lose yourself in paintbrushes and sculptures.

Admission to the Zimmerli is free, and though the museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday, it's open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays and Saturdays. 

Voorhees Mall 

This is a well-known space and a frequent stop on Rutgers tours, but that doesn't take away from its beauty.

Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue campus has a large lawn perfect for spreading a blanket, large group activities or even games like frisbee. The area is conveniently surrounded by classrooms and the Art Library, making it somewhere to decompress between classes.

It also features benches and even art, such as the statute of William the Silent and the World War II memorial entitled "A World Turned Inside Out." All these amenities make this an absolute safe space for students, whether they are looking for an extended period of relaxation or a quick break between classes.

While the weather is still clear and before the cold autumn nights set in, make the most of everything Rutgers campus has to offer.