Tucked away in a corner at the end of the third-floor hallway in CLO are two black-cushioned chairs. That’s Ulises Meza’s go-to spot for catching a break from campus chaos. 

“What initially drew me to this spot is that it is really quiet and usually empty, especially after 2 p.m.,” said Meza, a sophomore History major. “As opposed to the first floor of CLO, which is always busy no matter the time of day, this area barely gets any foot traffic, so it makes for a great space to wind down or get some work done in-between lectures.”

For Meza, this unassuming corner makes for the perfect place to enjoy himself away from the bustle of more popular hangout areas on the Hammond campus. 

“Usually, I take the opportunity [for] peace and quiet to do some studying without any distractions, or if I’m feeling lazy, I’ll put my headphones in and watch a movie on my laptop,” he said. “Whenever I go there, it’s usually on a whim, which I think makes my time there all the more enjoyable.” 

Meza notes that he makes sure to share his time on campus with the more congested student lounges as well, but at the end of the day, he always finds himself back at this little corner of solitude. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I love to people-watch and hang out with friends in the Mane Zone and in the cafeteria, but there’s something special about having a quiet place to escape to when your social battery has run out, or you’re just not in the mood for noise,” he said.