Winter is in full swing, and with its icy fingertips come seasonal depression and the start of the spring semester. Adjusting to minimal daylight hours and a new class schedule may be overwhelming — and there is no shame in letting your tears flow as you deal with the pressures of college. Here is a list of the 10 best spots on campus to sink into your sorrows and turn on the waterworks.
J.D. Williams Library
With hundreds of bookshelves to shield you from others’ lines of sight, the library serves as the perfect shelter for a sob. To blend in with your surroundings, you can select a floor based on how loudly you cry. For exclusive solitude, the Department of Archives and Special Collections on the third floor offers a minimally trafficked maze of shelves for fleeing from the troubles of academia.
Shoemaker Hall
While mainly housing faculty offices, Shoemaker’s study areas on the upper floors are sparsely populated. For a scenic view of the Circle and a quiet space to weep, Shoemaker checks all the necessary boxes.
Peddle Bell Tower
Hear me out: When in need of a quick bawl without time to search for isolation, sneaking under the bells of Peddle Tower works perfectly in a pinch. Bonus points if you catch the bells while they are ringing to drown out your young adult angst.
Coulter Hall
Calling all STEM majors: The tables on the stadium side of Coulter Hall are ideal for the inevitable mid-chemistry homework breakdown. Grab your coffee and hunker down.
Brandt Memory House
When sunset hits, this hidden gem becomes an idyllic hideaway for a sad college kid seeking a colorful sky and seclusion. Wallowing on the iconic Southern porch feels like a scene straight from the movie screen.
Rebel Market
Behind brick walls in the campus dining hall sit many tables hidden from view. With a cup of ice cream and a slice of pizza, Rebel Market allows you to stuff yourself with comfort food unbothered.
Lamar Hall
The concrete jungle of Ole Miss contains countless nooks and crannies fit for a midday cry. When general education classes are weighing you down, do not be afraid to claim a couch in Lamar and embrace your depressed mood.
Sally M. Barksdale Honors College
Home sweet “Sally,” where honors students spend late nights chipping away at to-do lists and powering through assignments. When a class is not in session, honors students are welcome to utilize the building’s classrooms. If you are lucky enough to find one empty, shut the door and let your cry commence.
Dorm rooms
For unbridled comfort in a haven of your personal belongings, dorm rooms cannot be surpassed in terms of privacy and security. Stay as long as you would like, turn on your comfort show and dig into your snack collection. There is no place like your home away from home.
University Counseling Center
Director of the University Counseling Center Juawice McCormick chimed in to share the benefits of crying.
“People cry to express grief, sadness, frustration, joy, relief and even anger,” McCormick said. “There are therapeutic and biological benefits: When we cry, our bodies release oxytocin and endorphins, which help us to feel better physically and emotionally.”
The UCC offers in-person individual, crisis and group counseling during the regular clinic hours of 8-5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, as well as medication monitoring and management. Licensed counselors are available by phone after hours for mental health emergencies. Students can call the UCC or visit the center’s website to book an appointment with a counselor.
