Lakeside Life is written and produced by Bemidji State students. Each month, they’ll give you an inside look at how they live, study, work and play at BSU…the university on Lake Bemidji.

No matter if you are a current or prospective Beaver, you’ll want to read what they have to say about the Lakeside Life.

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Lily’s Top Study & Relaxation Spots at BSU

Bemidji State University is a home away from home for many students, including me. Beyond the residence halls, many students discover places on campus that bring them comfort. The buildings that felt unfamiliar on my first college tour have become places that hold cherished memories for me.

Here are some of my favorite places on campus.

A.C. Clark Library

The familiar smell of books and the quiet clacking of laptop keyboards greet you when you step into the library. There is an unspoken sense of community as students gather around tables with spreads of textbooks, written notes and snacks. A can of Bubblr is almost always in sight.

The library’s four floors have a variety of study spaces. Booths, cubicles, tables and couches. Which will I choose today?

A seat near the windows promise a good view. Come rain or shine, sleet or snow, you can always catch a glimpse of Lake Bemidji stretching into the horizon.

The A.C. Clark Library is a great place to get work done, connect with friends and relax during a busy day of classes.

EcoGrounds

If there is a place to run into anyone, it is Ecogrounds. The small campus cafe has an atmosphere that evolves throughout the day. Accompanied by the aroma of coffee and quiet chatter, it is the perfect place to visit with friends.

Like the library, Ecogrounds has a cozy atmosphere. It is bustling with students early in the morning who come for coffee and a sweet treat to start their days. It gets quieter as the day goes on. Students often gather to study, laptops whirring in the background.

Accompanied by your favorite drink or treat, it’s safe to say that studying is sweeter at Eco.

Bridgeman Hall Terrace

Over the years at BSU, I have gotten so used to the campus landscape that I often forget to stop and take in my surroundings. One of the first things I fell in love with on campus were the benches outside Bridgeman Hall.

In the late spring and summer, the Bridgeman Hall Terrace is brimming with life. The leafy canopy provides shade from the sun, and occasionally, if you are very still, you can see a chipmunk scampering across the brick patio.

Lower Hobson Memorial Union – Lakeside

A popular lunch spot on campus, Lakeside is never short on students waiting in line to get food at the Lakeside Food Court or catching up with friends. The booths and tables overlooking Lake Bemidji have the best view.

Bangsberg Skyline

It comes as no surprise that Bemidji gets cold. While the view of the landscape covered with snow and sharpened by ice is beautiful, walking to class can be an adventure.

Winter at BSU means taking the winding, underground tunnels that carry you to each academic building with warmth you can’t find outside. A part of that tunnel system, the Bangsberg Skyline offers a glimpse of the snowy world outside with the comfort of being indoors.

The skyline overlooks Lake Bemidji, the entrance to Deputy Hall and the famous BSU arch, a place that most students remember seeing for the first time as they drove along Birchmont Drive.

About the author

Hi! My name is Lily, and I am a junior at Bemidji State University studying business administration. I am a student writer for the BSU Office of Communications and Marketing where I write about what’s going on around campus! It’s been an exciting journey so far, and I cannot wait to see what other experiences Bemidji State has to offer!