Are you a freshman who just moved in? Do you spend the majority of your time in Perkins? Are you what the hipsters would call “mainstream”? If you answered yes to any of the above, then you probably roam campus in some of the more obvious and populated spaces. Nothing wrong with that, as Duke is filled with nifty places to study, sleep, live and play, but here’s a handy list of the most underrated places on campus compiled by a highly scientific crowd sourcing and general asking-around methodology.
Most Underrated Places to Study – tie, Divinity Library and Thomas Reading Room in Lilly Library
The Divinity Library, located on the ground level of the Divinity School, is one of several graduate and professional school libraries on campus that undergrads don’t frequent the way they do Perkins and Bostock. Part of it is currently closed for renovations until August 2015 (big surprise here), but the Div School library is multiple levels with various study spaces, including the spacious York Room on the second floor. It also gives off the gothic atmosphere now absent on campus in closed spaces such as the Great Hall and Gothic Reading Room.
Although Lilly is a go-to spot for freshman because of its location on East Campus, most people stick to the airy rooms on the far ends with rows and rows of desks. Next time, settle into the Thomas Room, which has international artifacts displayed throughout the room and an eclectic assortment of plushy armchairs and couches. The huge windows also provide a sweet view of the lines across the quad at Marketplace so you can time your meal breaks just right.
Most Underrated Place to Eat – Food Factory at Devil’s Bistro
East and West Campus denizens generally don't frequent Devil's Bistory but its food offerings might be the largest and most diverse on campus. Its hours are much longer than other venues and the fries are absolutely gorgeous. Prices fly close to those of Pitchfork Provisions (or dare I correct myself, Cafe Edens) and there is plenty of room to sit and socialize both indoors and outdoors. If you don't live on Central, it's a bus ride away but worth it for the food and atmosphere.
Most Underrated Place to Live – Edens Quad
Hugely unpopular opinion alert here. Edens, although stigmatized for being about a three-hour walk away from the hubbub of West, is not the worst dorm to get stuck with. In fact, it has more amenities and is newer than the majority of West quads (I’m looking at you, Craven). Edens 1C, or Bel Air, is the only section on West campus other than Keohane 4B with a kitchen, common room, study room, computers and vending all in one place. The distance of Edens from the rest of West can be a plus as well—it’s relatively peaceful and surrounded by nature, benches, even a New England-y gazebo. Yes, it’s far, and the exterior leaves something to be desired, but you could do worse.
Most Underrated Place to Recharge – UCAE offices in Bryan Center
Ever since the Bryan Center was renovated two summers ago, the downstairs offices of UCAE across from Red Mango have been made into the Duke version of Hogwarts’ Room of Requirement. The modern decor and furniture of the living room include multimodal couches, swivel chairs, a giant bean bag and a giant flatscreen TV—all in a trendy lima-bean-and-Fanta color scheme. The offices, have meeting spaces, supplies, storage for student organizations, an universal charging station and actual coloring books. Students can stop by to refresh and recharge before heading to their next slew of classes and unnecessarily mandatory meetings or to study for longer periods. Bonus: the windows are glass and allow for silent watching of people passing by and stealing frozen yogurt samples.
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