July 1, 2025 Best of Calgary 2025: Hear it from Current students! As a future student, knowing all the best spots on campus for eating, studying or even taking a nap could take some time. For students who are new to the city, it might be difficult to even figure out where to start. That’s why we’ve created a guide for you, about the best that campus and the City of Calgary has to offer – hear it from Dianne, Kaylee, Adrian, Prithul, Dani and Karah!  From left to right it's Dianne, Kaylee, Adrian, Prithul, Dani and Karah! Dianne Favourite casual study spot and favourite ‘lock-in’ spot: Casual study spot: Hunter Student Commons; ‘Lock-in’ spot: Sixth floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library or the Law Library! Go-to study snack and where would you get it: Jarritos (Mango) from the Stör paired with a Donair pizza slice from Canadian Unlimited Pizza! Secret to success in classes: Going to professors’ office hours and taking advantage of student services and resources like PASS from Student Success Centre or the amazing library in the Women’s Resource Centre among many others! Most underrated spot on campus: The benches/green area behind Craigie Hall F/ University Theatre or the little nook behind the bear statue in the Quad — perfect spots to take a breath of fresh air or enjoy a quiet break with a good book while the wind chimes serenade you! Favourite UCalgary event: UCalgary Strong Festival! Best place/ways to meet new people/make new friends: Joining student clubs and volunteering through the Students’ Union or TriMedia (Gauntlet, CJSW, NUTV)! Favourite merch item from the bookstore: The sandstone classic heritage pull-over hoodie: The Classic Hoodie - University of Calgary Bookstore Favourite neighbourhood in Calgary: Kensington has super cute local coffee shops, bookstores and independent theatres! Bonus: being able to walk along the Bow River! Favourite thing about UofC’s campus culture: Spinning the Zipper or Leon the Frog in the north concrete stairwell of the Social Sciences building! Kaylee Go-to study snack and where would you get it: Rice Crispy from the vending machine or a slice of Donair pizza (Express). Secret to success in classes: Do a little bit of reviewing each day or at least each week so it feel less overwhelming when you have to study for a mid-term or final exam, and make friends so you can form a study group. Most underrated spot on campus: Running track around the Olympic Oval, the ice keeps it cool. Favourite UCalgary event: Crowchild classic (Hockey game against Mount Royal University) takes place at the Saddle Dome. Best place/ways to meet new people/make new friends: Residence in your first year offers a great community to meet new people who are in the same situation as you. As well as attending an open gym offered by Active Living Services in the Red and Gold gyms. Joining Intermural as a individual also is a great opportunity to meet new people and play the sports you love. Favourite hidden gem in Calgary: Confederation park, Nose Hill park, Seniore's Pizza Restaurant, El Furniture Warehouse. Favourite neighbourhood in Calgary: University District, right next to the University has everything you need (Five Guys, Skating rink, restaurants, 24 hour walk-through McDonalds, housing, nice running trails, grocery stores, spin classes, school and office supply stores). Favourite thing about UofC’s campus culture: Entrepreneurial University – resources for students with ideas to turn their visions into real ventures, supported by mentorship, funding opportunities, and a community that champions innovation. Adrian Go-to study snack and where would you get it: Hands-down it has to be either the Bake Chef hotdog bun or chicken bun, there’s nothing as delicious and affordable as them! Secret to success in classes: I feel like the simplest ‘secret’ to being successful in classes is to just go to them! It might seem so obvious, but it is so easy to decide not to go and fall behind – attending classes is the best way to stay on top of things! Most underrated spot on campus: I’d say the most underrated spot on campus would be the math sciences building! There's always space, and overall, a chill place to be. Best place/ways to meet new people/make new friends: The best place I found to meet new people and make new friends would be to join a club! I’ve met so many great people I would’ve never otherwise talked too! Favourite hidden gem in Calgary: My favourite hidden gem in Calgary is the Reader Rock Garden. It’s a small garden on top of a hill with beautiful views to the city and a nice little cafe! Favourite merch item from the bookstore: The best merch item from the bookstore has to be the Rex plushies! Favourite neighbourhood in Calgary: Calgary’s best neighbourhood has to be Kensington, definitely the liveliest with all sorts of fun spots to go to along with some of the best eats in the city! Favourite thing about UofC’s campus culture: My favourite thing about campus culture here is the painted rocks! The idea of being able to paint the rocks whatever you want, whenever you want, has always been so fun to me! All sorts of things from club advertisements to activism have been displayed, and that really goes to show the creativity and freedom students have here! Prithul Go-to study snack and where would you get it: Has to be the chicken buns from Bake Chef at MacHall. Secret to success in classes: Communicating with the professor actively, plus befriending others in the class and sharing resources is very helpful. Favourite UCalgary event: Clubs Week! It’s nice to see all the cool communities and clubs on campus, plus getting to snag some stickers and candy from different clubs is always fun. Best place/ways to meet new people/make new friends: Met all my best friends at the Dining Centre back in first year, it’s still my favourite. Favourite hidden gem in Calgary: The basement of Pages bookstore in Kensington with all its cool second hand books. Favourite merch item from the bookstore: Rex plushie, and the ‘University of Calgary Dad’ sweatshirt. Favourite neighbourhood in Calgary: Inglewood!! With Kensington, University District and Marda Loop being honourable mentions. Favourite thing about UofC’s campus culture: The snow ducks in the winter! Dani Secret to success in classes: Dont be afraid to ask questions to your professors, TAs, and classmates. I found my success in classes that lead me to making lifelong relationships as well as career leaps came from me getting to know everybody around me. Most underrated spot on campus: Most of my favourite memories in university came from spending time in the dining centre. Over there, I made tons of new friends, enjoyed hours of laughter with my peers, and built a strong feeling of community, all whilst enjoying a bowl of sticky toffee pudding. Food creates a bond between people unlike any other, and the dining centre was a great place for those bonds to start. Favourite UCalgary event: My favorite event is residence welcome week because as a Community Ambassador I get to meet all of my residents and get to know the community for the academic year. This week has hundreds of new people moving into their residences for the first time, more than a dozen activities to take part of, and so much good energy all around. Best place/ways to meet new people/make new friends: I found orientation to be very helpful for me as a place to make my first friends on campus. I have friends that I still hang out with weekly from orientation. Its a great feeling when you get to start something new with other people in the same boat as you. Favourite hidden gem in Calgary: I think that Kensington area is my favorite spot in the city because of its vibrant streets and cozy cafes and bars. Whether you'd like to enjoy some late night ribs, go to a board game cafe, pet some kittens, or check out a comedy show, Kensington has an option for you. Favourite merch item from the bookstore: I really like the simple UCalgary sweaters because you can wear them anywhere! Favourite neighbourhood in Calgary: My favorite neighborhood is University District & Brentwood Area because of its amenities and vibrant upbeat feel. Its close to campus and downtown. Favourite thing about UofC’s campus culture: The community feeling you receive while being here. People welcome welcoming people, and if you are someone who enjoys making friends and sharing good moments with others, this is definitely the place to be in. Karah Go-to study snack and where would you get it: It's got to be Jugo Juice, especially when I’m super anxious for an exam Secret to success in classes: Creating a study schedule to follow every week, it allows me to have consistency on when I’m reviewing and studying for different classes. Most underrated spot on campus: The pool deck! It’s always so warm and humid in there and great for a casual study session with friends! Favourite UCalgary event: I love the Crowchild Classic! It’s a great way to get out there and support our Dino’s teams and really get into the school spirit. Favourite hidden gem in Calgary: Riley Park in Kensington, it feels like a sanctuary in the middle of the city especially when the flowers are in bloom in the spring! Favourite merch item from the bookstore: Any of the scuba hoodies, the comfiest and plushest material ever. Favourite neighbourhood in Calgary: Kensington! Favourite thing about UofC’s campus culture: All the students are so nice, everyone’s willing to help out and the vibes are just always super high! |
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