The definitive guide to quad picnics

U of T has many students, many libraries, many squirrels, and many quads. As we begin to cautiously believe that spring might actually be upon us, we also share the desire to pass our days in parks under the sun. The quads provide a great place to bring a packed lunch and revel in the warm weather with friends. But, there is an art to the quad picnic — here’s what you need to know. Choose your quad. Between the colleges, Hart House, and even some of the libraries, there are ample quads to choose from at U of T. If you haven’t done so yet, you should definitely do a comprehensive quad hop and check them all out to determine which one is best in your eyes. If you like perfectly cut grass and ornate footpaths, Trinity College may serve your needs. If you want to throw a football around, your best bet to join a game is the spacious UC quad. If you want to eat in serene silence surrounded by gothic architecture, Knox College is the quiet corner of campus for you. The twitterverse was generally partial to the Victoria College quad when I asked, but share which one you prefer with me on twitter at @lifeatuoft: "Screenshot Screenshot from twitter: Jacob Ke ‏@Jacob_thesnake May 8 @lifeatuoft Vic Quad is HOME @VicCollege_UofT Reply Retweeted Favorited Follow More RETWEETS 2 FAVORITES 3 Sheena GarciaVic College UofTLife@UofT St. George 11:06 AM - 8 May 2015 · Details Screenshot from Twitter: Elizabeth Raymer ‏@ElizabethRaymer May 8 @lifeatuoft @UofT University College playing field (though much changed); UC was my college, the playing field peaceful but well-located. Reply Retweeted Favorited Follow More RETWEET 1 FAVORITES 2 HOLOGRAPHIC HYPOCRITLife@UofT St. George 5:41 PM - 8 May 2015 · Details Take in the scene. Usually we experience the quads by running through them to meet friends or get to class. During your picnic, take a moment to look at the things you don’t always notice, like the plaques in the Sir Dan’s quad or the flowers in the Hart House quad.
Screenshot from twitter, including a photo of the modern art sculpture of the archangel St. Michael: 1. Life@UofT St. George ‏@lifeatuoft Hey #UofT - what's your favourite quad on campus & why? Reply Retweet Favorite View Tweet activity More RETWEET 1 FAVORITES 3 khaleesi.Moon Beam ☾UniversityofToronto 10:57 AM - 8 May 2015 2. askastudent ‏@askastudentUofT May 8 @lifeatuoft SMC Quad because that abstract triangle is supposed to be the archangel St. Michael. pic.twitter.com/Lov030nBE3 Reply Retweeted Favorited More Embedded image permalink RETWEETS 2 FAVORITES 11 Keesharachelle isidro♥jess♥er-budHOLOGRAPHIC HYPOCRITHannah LevisAndreaLife@UofT St. GeorgeSteph Vassos 1:13 PM - 8 May 2015 · Details
Sure, you may have noticed the sculpture at the centre of the St. Micheal's College quad before. But did you realize that it's supposed to be a PERSON?
Check for convocations. Also weddings. Especially in June, there will be much convocating ensuing at King’s College Circle and if you are picnicking near the college that’s graduating that day, your picnic may be interrupted by many excited soon-to-be alumni in gowns. On the flip side, if convocation people-watching appeals to you, this may be a welcome distraction. Bring a blanket and all the other things you ought to bring to a picnic. This is just your basic picnic advice. Bring a blanket lest your legs get covered in grass and dirt. Also bring cutlery, napkins, lots of food, and some friends, too. (Unless you want to just eat all the food yourself. Which I respect.) Also, use straws with your drinks to avoid bee-related disasters. Do Mother Nature a solid. While enjoying all the greenery, you should also be as green as you can. Use reusable containers, try to minimize garbage, and don’t leave any mess behind. Don’t throw shade. It’s not nice. And speaking of shade, consider sitting in it! There are many pretty trees to shield you from the sun. In any case, wear sunscreen. All the cool kids are doing it.
Student Life assistant Laura throws her arms up in the centre of the Trinity College quad.
This is Laura! Her quad of choice: Trinity College.
The classiest picnics are picnics that are actually classes. If you’re a summer school student, try to convince your professor to take class outside for a day. Classrooms in July are undoubtedly the place to be, but sometimes, a breath of fresh air can breathe new life into course material. Alternatively, make a study group with your peers and meet up in a quad instead of a library to enjoy the warm weather while getting work done. Beware of summer school students. Don’t let them distract you from your frolicking with their reading. Conversely, if you are a summer school student, beware of students who are taking the term off and will distract you from your reading with their frolicking. Beware of squirrels. Guys, this is serious. The squirrels on campus are mostly our adorable friends — they even have their own facebook page. But they also have a tendency to jump out of garbage cans and to eat muffins and pretty much any other scraps they can find.
Screenshot from twitter: Life@UofT St. George ‏@lifeatuoft May 8 Hey #UofT - what's your favourite quad on campus & why? 1 retweet 3 favorites Reply Retweet1 Favorite3 View Tweet activity More User Actions Follow Ryan Hume ‏@RyanHumerous @lifeatuoft @UofT Sir Daniel Wilson's because I'm confident the squirrels which inhabit it could demolish any other UofT squirrel community Reply Retweeted Favorited Follow More RETWEET 1 FAVORITE 1 Life@UofT St. George 12:51 PM - 8 May 2015
Who run the world? Squirrels.
Say hello. Share a picture or update on social media so the U of T twitterverse can applaud your expert picnicking and watch your klout score soar. Tag @lifeatuoft for a retweet!
Blogger Danielle pictured on a bench in the Sir Daniel Wilson quad.
Hello! As for me, I'm all about the Sir Dan's quad. Lots of shade, close to coffee at Diabolo's in the University College Junior Common Room, and, of course, crazy squirrel watching.
Do you have any quad picnic tips or questions? Want to school me on which quad is indisputably the best on campus? Let’s talk on twitter at @lifeatuoft.

2 comments on “The definitive guide to quad picnics

  1. Hi I am a grade 12 high school student from Ontario and will be graduating this year. I got accepted to U of T life science, and in my conditional offer it said that I in Calculus I had to get an above 75 in order for my offer to be valid. But near the exam my average fell to a 71, but hopefully it will increase in the exam. But my question is will U of T revoke my offer if I falls below a 75?

    Thank You,
    Student

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