For all the times you’ve needed a quiet space that isn’t Butler.

Although prospies and parents adore Columbia’s inexplicable mixture of brutalist architecture, eldritch monstrosity-esque statues, and seemingly indispensable Greco-Roman columns, I often find myself wanting an escape from the sterile atmosphere inspired by much of the campus. For the times when you need a serene, natural, and (somewhat) quiet place to go that has just about the opposite ambience of Butler, consider checking out Bwog’s favorite spots on campus!

First up, we have the famous Philosophy Lawn tree. Why is it so comforting? Maybe because it’s Christmas-tree adjacent and makes me think about those sweet, faraway winter mornings. Maybe it’s because it acts as a personal umbrella to whoever sits underneath—a role that is almost motherly and undeniably tender. Maybe it’s because of the two little pumpkins that seem to speak to the sitter reassuringly from under the other, smaller tree (which was considered for this list but ultimately did not make the cut). Maybe it’s because, despite being in a rather busy part of campus, the surrounding bushes make this spot feel as hidden as you can get on a campus of tens of thousands of students. I have no idea. Take your pick of reasons. Lucky for you, rarely anyone takes this spot, so get there early and camp out the whole day if you want to. I don’t care. I have every right to kick you out if you found out about this spot from me, though—a concept that I have just decided applies to every place on this list.

Ah, yet another lawn! Here we have the Mathematics Lawn, a beautifully manicured spot that is absolutely worth the painful fence climb. Other likely hazards are falling leaves and insects, but for an area this naturally pleasant, you can bear the bugs. The perfection of its appearance is off-putting, I know, but you will have no trouble finding peace and quiet in this part of campus. Any students exiting the Mathematics building are probably overworked STEM kids who don’t have the time or respect for peaceful R&R, which will guarantee your solitary enjoyment of this spot.

Perhaps one of the most underrated parts of campus, the areas surrounding Earl Hall are as rarely populated as they are beautiful. The stone benches are perfect for a quick stress nap, and the small gardens and lanterns surrounding the building will give you a taste of that middle-of-nowhere liberal arts college feel so many Columbia students seem to envy (by the way, what’s up with that? You decided to go to college in New York City. What were you expecting? Freaks). Plus, as one of the more hidden alcoves on this list, the odds of you running into a spurned lover or a professor you lied about being sick to are at their absolute lowest.

Don’t worry, this is the last of the lawns on the list. Is Lewisohn Lawn even a thing? If it isn’t, we’re making it one. Anyway, this little gem is the perfect place to go if you want a more natural, quiet, dark academia-esque counterpart to the Philosophy and Mathematics lawns. The area beneath the huge tree provides a perfect secluded spot for a study session, a picnic date, or an emergency escape from pouring rain. Try it out during our next hurricane!

Now we come to my favorite spot on this list: The Schermerhorn rectangle. You can find this tranquil area between Schermerhorn, Fayerweather, Avery, and St. Paul’s. The surrounding gardens are as calming as they are beautiful, and on weekends, the rectangle is almost always empty. If you do come here, be sure to take a small sprig of one of the herbs and toss it into your bag or put it behind your ear—not only will you smell lovely for the rest of the day, but the aroma will remind you that places like this exist on campus.

While these circular benches on the ledge of Altschul are surrounded by Barnumbia’s traditionally bleak style of architecture, their concealment and plant-based centerpieces more than make up for the setting. These miniature Edens, which overlook Claremont Avenue as well as the gorgeous scenery by Milbank Hall, are sufficiently far from any building doors to serve as a respite from the hustle and bustle of students entering and leaving classes. And, during sunny days, you can bring a friend to get some fantastic golden hour pics!

Last (but certainly not least!) is the area enclosed by Milbank, Fiske, and Brinckerhoff Halls. The benches and chairs in this area are all within six feet of some sort of shrub, tree, or flower, and you will always be able to find a free seat of some kind. My personal favorites within this spot are the traditional benches seen in the photo on the right, which possess an especially lovely quality because they each have their own tree. The prevalence of the greenery softens the otherwise imposing aesthetics of the Halls, and in my humble opinion, this is the only place on campus where the natural elements act as perfect complements to the traditional university architecture.

Have any more serene spots in mind for this list? Email tips@bwog.com to see them added to this article!

Images via Vicky Melkonyan and Jas Wahan