Sam Askew, Campus Carrier managing editor
Hanging Out
Whether you are looking for a chill, quiet environment or a loud, exciting environment, we have you covered. Rome is known for its many places to kick back and relax, and this list is merely a start. Berry College has its fair share of on-campus amenities. On-campus options range from playing volleyball at the outdoor volleyball courts behind Dana to drinking coffee at Java City. The Memorial Library also serves as an excellent place to hang out with friends or study, and it stays open until 1 a.m. There are also many spaces available to have a picnic on campus. The library lawn is the perfect picnic spot, and Mountain Campus is just a short drive away if you’re looking for a more quiet, secluded picnic in nature. The Cage Center even has outdoor toys and games, such as cornhole or frisbees, that can be checked out and used. There are even more options off-campus, including Skater Zone, movie theater, and, of course, the City Creamery, where you can get the best ice cream in town. Quick coffee run? Try the Lumina drive-thru. If you want a sit-down coffee experience, then Swift & Finch would be the best. You can even go throw an axe at Rome Axe Throwing. Whatever you and your friends are looking for, it can be found easily. The Krannert info desk can offer more information of things to do around Rome, too.They offer discount cards for certain places including discount movie tickets.
Dining
There are a number of options on-campus for dining, Subway and Chick-fil-A being the big two. However, if you find yourself wanting a small snack, then Java City or the new Freshens, which serves smoothies, açai bowls, and prepared-to-order food, would be your go-to. When in doubt, however, the Dining Hall is always a good choice. There, you will find a variety of sections including Traditions, where you can get classic Western cuisine; Pizzas, choice of cheese, pepperoni or specialty; a self-serve Salad Bar; Stir-fry, with a variety of vegetables and noodles or rice; the Grill, where you can get freshly cooked meat made to order; and Viking Favorites, where you can get sandwiches and various wraps. Of course, there are a variety of off-campus locations, too. Cookout and Steak n Shake are there if you desire something quick and cheap. Meanwhile, Jefferson’s and Ru Sans are two very popular sit-down restaurants. Jefferson’s serves a variety of American cuisine, while Ru Sans serves excellent Japanese dishes, including sushi. If you are feeling fancy, make a stop at Aventine. There you will find an Italian and southern American cuisine with three courses. Downtown Rome has too many options for dining to mention. It is worth a trip to go and explore all Rome has to offer. There are classic chains like Panera, Panda Express, Checkers, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A and Waffle House scattered around Rome as well.
Studying
Everyone needs a good, quiet place to study, and there are many options both on campus and off campus. In no particular order, Berry students’ favorite places to study on-campus are the Library, Evans and Krannert. Environment is a key factor when considering a place to study. If you are looking for a calmer, quieter place to study, you would most likely benefit from the quiet section of the Library. These are study-oriented spaces with a pleasant atmosphere. Off-campus options range from Lumina and Swift & Finch to Barnes & Noble and Panera, all with coffee, pastries and free wi-fi. If you are looking for a lively space that is good for entire group study sessions, you would benefit most likely from Swift, which has large tables and plenty of outlets. Lumina would be the place for you if you were looking for a quiet place to be alone or in small groups, as the seating there is more limited. Panera is a popular chain that has a variety of soup, sandwiches, and salads. They also serve pastries and plenty of drink options. Barnes & Noble is a quiet place to browse for books and unwind with a coffee from their in-house Starbucks. The best thing about all these spaces is that most of the time people are there to get work done, so you find yourself wanting to get your own work done as if motivated by all the other people doing the same thing.
