Vending a little joy

I don’t know about you, but I find this time of year trying. True, the Sun is out and the weather warm (often too warm if you are chained to a keyboard indoors!), but the Library can feel near abandoned at times and our coffee shop is closed. Yet, there are still plenty of people studying here and it is a haven for any postgraduate seeking a quiet place to settle and focus, so if you enjoy peace and quiet, space to spread out, and freedom to concentrate without distractions, this is a great time to wander over to the Library and get stuck into some serious study. 

Water is always freely available from our drinking fountains. The absence of hot water taps disappoints many international students, and having visited Asia, I can understand why. While we are unable to offer self-service hot water on tap, you can always present a clean reusable mug and ask for hot water to make your own homebrew teas from any of the cafés on campus, although you may be asked to pay a nominal charge. 

As for ‘real coffee’, you have three options on campus:

1. Visit the Terrace Cafe beside the Students’ Union building during the daytime, or pop over to the Starbucks outlet in the Sports Centre across the plaza later in the day for a wide range of meals and refreshments.
2. Vend a little cup of joy from the drinks dispensers tucked around the corner from the Library café – go past the café and wander around the corner to your right to find the hidden vending machine alcove.
3. Bring your own hot drinks with you in a thermally insulated flask.