Propped up on her arm pillow in bed, Abby Stone of Sudbury, Massachusetts, said she did her best work in “the most comfortable place on campus.” With Justin Bieber playing over the speaker, Stone said she and her roommate “grinded together and motivated each other.”
Throughout the program, cherubs found creative places to meet their deadlines.
While the quiet University Library provided a traditional study environment, Crystal Zhu of Cupertino, California, found a way to use the dining hall for more than just eating.
“It’s nice because you can eat and study and all the noise around you just cancels out,” Zhu said. “It’s like white noise, so you can lock in.”
Norris University Center has a variety of seating and food options, and Stone said its convenient location near Fisk Hall gave her a place to work during breaks from classes.
“I can get my strawberry acai and I can work on my article,” Stone said.
Maia Weissman of Glenview, Illinois also said she valued convenience but found it in more private places, such as in the Jones Hall armchairs, sofas and bean bags that allowed her to “relax and focus on writing.”
Weissman said the lounges also facilitated collaboration between fellow cherubs. She said she and her friends brainstormed together, gave each other tips and edited each other’s work.
Jane Mercer of Memphis, Tennessee, said she enjoyed the nature of Northwestern’s campus, which contrasted with the busy streets of her hometown.
“To go outside,” Mercer said, “and find a million places where I can go hang out or read or study — it’s really nice to have that experience.”
