North Lake College’s Central Campus is a beautiful and sometimes surprising place. Some of NLC’s buildings contain uncharted turns, unexpected study areas, and hidden hallways. So, we explored campus and asked longtime NLC community members about their favorite spots to study or relax.
Here are nine reasons to linger on campus and enjoy North Lake’s sense of community.
Quiet study spots
T building study area. Perched right on the edge of the campus lake, this super-quiet study space in the middle of the T building’s first floor has a partial skylight running down the full length of the hallway.
The second floor of the C building lobby. Located in the heart of North Lake’s science building, this wide, sunlit lobby space is filled with art and comfy chairs to study. Unlike the main lobby below, it never gets too busy or traffic-filled – but it does get afternoon light through the large front windows.
The Chamberlain Reading Room. Tucked away in the back of the library, the newly remodeled Chamberlain Reading Room is designed with relaxing chairs and ample charging stations for electronic devices. The Reading Room is named after former NLC librarian Dr. Enrique Chamberlain, who served the college for over 40 years.
Hidden areas
Sculpture studio and courtyard. Behind a closed door next to the Central Campus bookstore is our sculpture studio, a large space where art students mold their next creations. The studio includes a firing kiln – an oven in which pottery is baked – and a small grassy courtyard which most NLC students never notice.
The far side of the lake. Cottonwood Creek meanders along the southeast border of campus, a peaceful home to fish, turtles, nutria, and several species of birds. But many NLC students never venture far enough out to see it, or to get up close and personal with the Octavio Medellín sculpture nearby.
Video technology studios. NLC video technology students enjoy a full television studio on the lower level of the G building, where they film news segments and learn broadcasting techniques. They also use editing rooms for post-production, audio recording, and visual effects. If you’re not in the program, you can still get a chance to see the studio in action by watching student videos posted on YouTube.
More unique campus places
Quiet room in the Student Life Center. The Student Life Center – where NLC students gather for orientation and dozens of year-round events – is also home to a designated quiet room where students can meditate, pray, or simply sit in peace. Its wide glass windows overlook the lake.
Fitness center. If you aren’t taking a PE class, you may not know that we have a fully equipped fitness center and weight room. For a small fee, non-PE students can receive semester-long access to the facilities, located near the gym.
The Blazer Student Store. You probably know about the bookstore and cafeteria. But have you visited the Blazer Student Store in room A223? Even if you don’t want to browse through the stock of donated items, you can stop by on Monday mornings for a free cup of coffee.
Need help locating these spots? Check out our campus map.
