Tourist Mode: Lakeshore Edition

I’m in my last semester and I’ve spent so much time trying to survive on campus that I’ve hardly explored it.

I believe most students experience campus the same way every semester: speed-walking to class, surviving on coffee and treating every building like a loading screen between the many deadlines we have.

So I decided to do something revolutionary as a stressed student in the middle of job hunting, and decided to wander around campus for absolutely no academic purpose.

Turns out, Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber are very interesting when you’re not panic-walking through them.

Here’s my list of places to check out at Humber Lakeshore, depending on the exact type of student crisis you’re having.

1. The Gatehouse Healing Garden

Picture from The Healing Garden — *Photo by Sharfaa Zaib.*

The Gatehouse Healing Garden felt less like a campus spot and more like the universe quietly telling you to calm down. Tucked into the Lakeshore campus grounds, it has become my new favourite way of touching grass. Birds are chirping. Trees moving dramatically in the wind. Actual silence. Perfect.

You’ll go there thinking, “I’ll sit here for five minutes,” and before you realize, you’re reflecting on childhood memories and texting and checking up on your friends.

This place is perfect for journaling and listening to lyrics that change your brain chemistry.

Best for: Emotional recovery after checking grades.

2. Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre

Picture from the Humber Archives showing a door, knob and hinge from the previous Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital. — *Picture by Humber Polytechnic – Humber Archives.*

I went into the Student Welcome and Resource Centre expecting another small guided tour. I left questioning time, history, architecture and humanity.

The Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre preserves and shares the history of the Lakeshore Grounds region and the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital site that Humber Lakeshore now occupies. From the door hinge that has lasted through the decades to the postcards that let us glimpse into the past, it’s a highly recommended stop to learn more about the grounds this campus stands on.

Best for: Unlocking campus lore.

3. Second floor piano – A Building

A picture of the piano on the second floor of the A Building. — *Photo by Sharfaa Zaib.*

There is something deeply cinematic about walking by a piano on campus. Even if nobody is playing when you pass by, the piano itself has a presence. It feels as if the spot exists specifically for spontaneous artistic moments.

I don’t play any musical instrument, let alone hold a tune. But I like the option of having a place to act out being Beethoven dramatically. If I had a tote bag, it would have swung with purpose as I left.

Best for: Boosting your main character energy.

4. Graffiti wall – A Building

A picture of the graffiti from A Building. — *Photo by Sharfaa Zaib.*

Every campus needs one wall that makes students stop and go, “That’s so cool!” This is ours.

I love the chaotic, creative energy of the graffiti wall. It felt alive while being a little messy and slightly rebellious.

I thought that somehow it captures the exact emotional state of being a post-secondary student. The feeling of being confused, expressive and sleep-deprived, but trying our best.

Best for: Taking new profile pictures for your socials.

5. Basement study area – F Building

Picture of Sharfaa trying out the computer in the study area at F Building. — *Photo by Sharfaa Zaib.*

I loved how the study space gave me academic bunker vibes. It made me feel like I’m either about to write the next great novel or just be one iced coffee away from dropping out. It’s the kind of place where I could open a blank Google Doc and finally finish drafting a cover letter.

Bonus: it has its own cafeteria for snacks!

Would I study here again? Yes.

Best for: Getting out of your procrastination funk.

6. Trading Room – L Building

A picture of Sharfaa pointing to the stock details of companies being displayed in the Trading Room at L Building. — *Photo by Sharfaa Zaib.*

Walking into the trading room immediately changed my posture. There were so many numbers with the stock details of companies. I suddenly felt the urge to say things like: “Let’s circle back on that,” or “The market’s volatile right now.”

The screens. The setup. The atmosphere. Even if you know absolutely nothing about trading, the room has this ambitious energy that makes you feel productive just by standing there. It was nice to see that my midnight binging was helping Netflix go up in value.

Would I survive one actual trading floor shift? No.
Did I feel powerful for seven minutes? Absolutely.

Best for: Pretending you understand the stock market because you watched The Wolf of Wall Street once.

This is your sign

Man carrying a camera in a dense forest — *Photo by Janardan Mahto on Unsplash*

Lakeshore genuinely has its own unique personality. Something is grounding about learning the history of a place you usually only associate with lectures and exams.

Sometimes it’s discovering corners of campus you never noticed before despite walking past them for months.

So this is your sign to take the long way to class for a change.

Feature image courtesy of Humber Polytechnic – Humber Digital Asset Management.

Want some more things to do for the summer? Check out fun side quests to do!