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Health and Wellness

4 Raleigh Locations Perfect For Unplugging And Enjoying Your Own Company

Because solitude is a necessity.

Alyssa Hinshaw

Apr 11, 2018

North Carolina State University

394

4 Raleigh Locations Perfect For Unplugging And Enjoying Your Own Company

Unsplash via Heather Mount

Life is busy, and college brings along a hectic schedule of non-stop interpersonal interaction. Even if you're someone who's energized by staying busy and socially engaged 24/7, it's important to take a few minutes to yourself each week to relax and refocus. Learning to enjoy your own company and to appreciate solitude is extremely beneficial to your wellbeing.

Whether you live on or off campus, here are four ideal places for students (or anyone) in Raleigh to escape to for a quick recharge.

1. Lake Johnson Park

Lake Johnson is conveniently located off Avent Ferry Road and only a 10-minute drive from campus. There are paved trails, picnic areas, and boat and paddle board rentals. Although the area can get crowded on the weekends, it's usually a quiet spot to take a walk, rent a kayak, or hang up your eno.

2. NCMA Park

You don't even have to go inside the North Carolina Museum of Art to enjoy some of what it has to offer. Formally the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, this location offers rotating art installations, wooded trails, gardens, and plenty of lawn space to throw down a blanket and enjoy a book.

3. Lake Raleigh

Located on Centennial Campus, Lake Raleigh is either within walking distance or a Wolfline ride away for NC State students. This is another great spot with trails, a disc golf course, workout equipment, and a fishing pier.

4. Wake County Public Library

Considering the unpredictable North Carolina weather, an indoor option is definitely necessary. Wake County Public Library in Cameron Village is the perfect spot to grab a coffee and enjoy some peace and quiet.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

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Recommended for you

4 Raleigh Locations Perfect For Unplugging And Enjoying Your Own Company

Because solitude is a necessity.

1. Lake Johnson Park

2. NCMA Park

3. Lake Raleigh

4. Wake County Public Library

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

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