Whether it’s just to hang out with friends, grab a snack while studying or to hit the gym, there are many places outside of school that students at Blue Valley North visit as the weather cools off.
Junior Isla Rader enjoys visiting the Starbucks near the school whenever she needs to study or relax.
“Sometimes I’ll go there by myself to study, or I’ll go with one of my friends and just talk to them for three hours,” Rader said.
She mentioned how the refreshments provided by the café help create a soothing atmosphere, which draws her to visit frequently.
“They have good food and drinks obviously, but it’s just kind of like the atmosphere because it’s peaceful,” Rader said. “It’s just calming to be there.”
Beyond coffee shops, students look for places where they can grab a bite to eat or spend time with friends after school. Places near campus—ones that are quick and easy to get to—are often the go-to spots for students.
While one student may prefer the calm atmosphere of a café, others could look for a more active way to spend their free time.
Bao Huynh, a junior at BVN, enjoys spending his free time after school at the gym.
“I like to work on myself, get better, stronger, all that. I like how I don’t see anyone. I like being alone, personally, when I’m in those places, but I’m not hanging out. I just like having time for myself,” Huynh said.
The ideal after-school spot could also be a comfortable place to spend time with friends according to Rader.
“I really like being outside, and sometimes it’s just fun to sit on the swings with your friends,or I mainly go to my house or my friend’s house,” Rader said.
For Huynh, the colder months shape how he chooses to spend his time after school. The shift in seasons can feel like a reset, offering new routines and opportunities.
“Usually, I see winter as a perfect time for self-improvement,” Huynh said.
In the end, every student’s corner looks a little different. But whether it’s cozying up in a café, hitting the gym, hanging out with friends or working on self-growth, there’s a place for BVN students to be when the final bell rings. And these coziest corners, filled with chatter, sweat or quietness, remind them that after a rush of classes, there’s always somewhere to breathe, reset and simply be.
