By Fiona Fu ’25
Coming to Choate as an international student, long weekends did not excite me. After all, I couldn’t go home, and I didn’t have any family nearby. My friends would pack and go one by one, leaving me to languish in the empty halls of my dorm alone for the next few days. However, after spending so many of my long weekends at Choate, I’ve come to appreciate the restorative peace and quiet that comes with staying on campus.
Long weekends, despite their name, are not actually that long. The thought of having to pack for a trip, no matter how short, while also taking a bunch of midterms the week before is a daunting prospect. Not to mention the time it takes to travel anywhere and the hours I might spend in a car when I could be hanging out with friends, watching TV, or resting.
On long weekends when I do go off-campus, the sun has usually set by the time I arrive at my destination, and I’m lethargic from the stuffy smell of vehicles and hours of sitting down. I’ve found that staying on campus maximizes the opportunity to rest, recuperate, and lounge. I don’t have to worry about packing or getting anywhere but my bed. My break commences the moment my last commitment ends. I get to prioritize sleep, and sometimes, even go on adventures throughout Wallingford.
Whereas the busyness of Choate life prevents me from venturing out too much during school, long weekends are the perfect opportunity to explore the community around us. I can zip up my jacket, take a morning stroll down Main Street, and stop by Green Kettle to pick up a warm coffee. In the afternoons or evenings, the Student Activities Center (SAC) organizes gratuitous trips to bowling, shopping, and the movies — activities I didn’t even realize were so within reach.
Long weekends are also my chance to explore restaurants I haven’t been to before or take a day trip to New Haven without worrying about whether such a luxury would prevent me from finishing my homework. From bubble waffle ice cream at Milkcraft and umami wagyu curry at Hachiroku to a library of board games at Elm City Games, New Haven and its amenities are boundless. For once, I get to appreciate the areas surrounding the School through the lens of an explorer.
There’s also something magical about seeing Choate campus, usually so busy and full of life, turn into a tranquil canvas. You can hear the echoes of your own voice against the empty dining hall and slide across the waxed wooden floor of the senior section without anyone stopping to judge you. It’s liberating. The sense of wonder I used to have walking on the paths as a new freshman that gradually eroded with time and stress returns with full force during these quiet long weekends.
With the population reduced so drastically, it’s also inevitable to feel a sense of camaraderie with those hunkered down on campus with me.
I talked to people I’d known only tangentially, establishing friendships in record time. With close friends, I find myself enjoying deeply intimate and unfettered conversations; quality time that is impossible to find in our otherwise busy Choate lives. I collect these moments. They are precious core memories and cornerstones of my most genuine relationships.
The idea of being “left behind” on campus might seem depressing; but, dear reader, I promise there is so much to love. I invite you to remain with us on campus one long weekend and see for yourself the myriad of small joys there are to experience. You might even discover some other small, pleasant surprises in this short duration — and if you find any good restaurants, I’d love to hear about them.
