The Quad

On any sunny moderately warm day students can be seen lounging in the quad between classes. Perhaps reading a book, throwing a frisbee or football, listening to music, talking with friends, or even taking a nap. Especially in the warm early days of the fall semester, or late spring, many students will use URI's green space as well as they can. Some days there are Greek Life activities, and some days there can be tables set up in the quad to display information on clubs and teams. Any dose of fresh breath outside of classrooms in the shining sun is a good way for students to relax. The vitamin D they are absorbing from the sun is good for defending immune systems and enjoying a nice day is tremendous for reliving stress. It does not matter how you spend time on the quad as long as it is a stress free environment for you and those around you. The URI web page even has two cameras in the quad in case you would like to check the weather or check out what is going on outside, here's the site: http://www.uri.edu/home/about/livevideo_quad_east.html.

Skateboarding Through Campus

Watch out URI campus. Early spring starts the skateboarding season again as snow and rain come to a stop and streets dry out throughout the campus. As walking across campus can be up to a fifteen minute hike up and down hills and cutting through grass paths, skating is not a bad idea for a vehicle on campus. In fact it is a lot of fun as skaters are often seen coming down Ranger, Lippit, and West Alumni Avenue. Not even to mention cutting across the quad and all spread out through campus with car to classroom access much faster than walking. It's common to see more long board skateboards on campus as we have large and long hills to propel skaters bombing downhill. However there has been a lot of short board skateboards that are more for tricks than cruising around, but can be used for both. A skate shop on campus would be pretty good to have for URI as so many students are forced to order parts online or take a trip into Narragansett to Gansett Juice or Warm Winds skate and surf shops.

If you attend URI, like tex-mex style food, then this is the place to go. Items on the menu include burritos, tacos, quesidillas, rice and bean plates, and a delicious blend of hot sauces to your liking at every table. Caliente also has affordable pricing for college kids looking to grab a quick bite. The restaurant is located in the Kingston Emporium directly across from the Rhode Island Book Company. Unfortunately, they do not have the needs necessary to deliver unless you live on-campus. There is even a fun challenge at this tex-mex establishment. It's called the mad-dog challenge and you need to finish two wicked hot burritos in the fastest time to get your face on the picture boards hanging from the wall. My personal favorites here include the pipeline burrito as well as the king ranch burrito. These burritos come in an XXL size and are absolutely delicious. Caliente receives a four and a half out of five for the quality, ambiance, and affordable pricing of their restaurant compared to other restaurants on campus. The owners of Caliente have just opened up a restaurant called the The Burger Shack located in the Kingston Emporium as well. The restaurant is located on the opposite side of caliente tucked away in the corner next to the employees parking lot. Caliente can be reached at 401-284-2816.

Coffee!

A staple in every college student's fridge or pantry. Coffee is know to fuel many of us through our day's. The jolt from coffee can aid in attending and staying awake in morning, afternoon and night classes. Many URI students attend hot spots such as: Dunkin' Donuts, Bagelz, Starbucks, Tim Horton's, and local coffee shops and houses to keep the buzz going. You can often see this author at Bagelz, and Tim Hortons across the area. Caffeine habits can start easily in college and can continue for the rest of someone's life. So these businesses have focused on college campuses and have captured a market full of ready and willing participants who will come back for more. A caffeine habit can turn into a mild addiction for college students. We have all seen said person wide eyed and brimming with energy perhaps too much energy. Just like the image to the left looks. Coffee is not the only source of caffeine for college students, tea, energy drinks and now sodas can give a much need boost of energy. Going out to coffee as a social function such as friend meeting friend or simply as a way of getting to know somebody are things that college students do also as a pastime. It is enjoyable to have a buzz through the day that keeps you moving. Sharing that buzz with friends is also another way that relationships keep intact.