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7 ways to wind down your summer around campus
image of students sitting on grass

— Emory Photo/Video

Summertime may be dwindling, but you still have a few weeks left to enjoy the warm weather and relaxation before the new semester begins. Here are seven ideas to help you soak up the last bit of summer:


1. Pick up some fresh fruits, veggies and other artisanal goods at the Emory Farmer’s Market.

Skip the produce section at the grocery store this week! The Emory Farmer’s Market at McDonough Plaza is the perfect place to get all your fruits, veggies, coffee and a variety of other fresh goods to brighten up your pantry. While purchasing your sourdough loaf or freshly ground coffee, take the time to interact with local farmers and small business owners who are sustainably producing their goods and working toward a stronger local food network.

July 11 and 25 are your last opportunities to catch the summer market before Aug. 22, when it transitions back to the academic year calendar. The market is on McDonough Plaza from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Farmer’s Market is co-managed by the Office of Sustainability Initiatives and Emory Dining, along with a sub-committee of students, faculty and staff.


2. Immerse yourself in exhibits at the Carlos Museum.

Want to get a break from the brutal heat without traveling too far? It’s easy to spend hours wandering through the enthralling exhibits at the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Enjoy access to thousands of years of history right in the heart of campus, from ancient Egyptian art exhibits to a renowned photographer’s portfolio. Plus, it’s your last chance to catch the “Life and the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Art from the Senusret Collection — the exhibit closes Aug. 6. Admission is free for Emory University students, faculty and staff with a valid ID.


3. Explore justice through a variety of lenses at Science Gallery Atlanta.

If you liked the Carlos Museum, but maybe wished you could put your hands on the ancient art, the “JUSTICE” exhibition at the Science Gallery Atlanta was made for you. Science Gallery Atlanta at Emory University is a multidisciplinary collaboration between visual, performance, and media arts and fields from public health, biology, theology, physics, sociology, economics and beyond. The interactive exhibit, on display at Pratt-Pullman Yards in Atlanta, invites visitors to broadly explore the meaning of justice through global and local systems, like health care and transportation. One installation in the exhibit, called “SEESAW” by artist Stephanie Brown, invites visitors to take off their shoes and mount a seesaw with gold bricks that represent aspects of their own identities, like race, gender and sexual orientation. You can see “SEESAW” and other installations in the exhibit through Sept. 30. Admission is free and tickets can be reserved online at Eventbrite.


4. Grab one last look at “Readers of the Lost Arkhive” exhibit.

After checking out your final summer read from the Emory Library System, head up to the tenth level of the Robert W. Woodruff Library to learn more about Afrofuturism — a cultural movement that combines science fiction aesthetics and touchpoints of Black history and culture. While Afrofuturism literature has grown in popularity over the past 10 years, with authors becoming household names, the genre existed long before this surge. The “Readers of the Lost Arkhive” exhibit highlights the work of Afrofuturism artists from 1773-1987, utilizing selections in their possession. The exhibit closes on Aug. 31.


5. Challenge yourself to a new fitness class.

Build new habits while making new friends before the semester begins by joining a group fitness class through Emory Recreation & Wellness. Visit the Woodruff P.E. Center and engage in a variety of classes, from yoga to Zumba to taekwondo. Members have access to summer classes, which run through Aug. 4 Advance registration through the Emory Recreation and Wellness site is recommended. Not a member yet? Sign up online with member services.


6. Cool down with an iced latte from on-campus coffee shops.

Maybe you like a simple iced vanilla latte — or maybe you’re into something more adventurous like an iced lavender rose matcha. Either way, it’s easy to find a refreshing pick-me-up on campus. Head over to The Depot by Kaldi’s Coffee to sip on a seasonal iced drink in the chic, restored depot setting. If you’re near the Emory Student Center and crunched for time, swing by the Kaldi’s Coffee counter. Or maybe you’re closer to the Rollins School of Public Health, which is the perfect spot to check out the recently-opened Dancing Goats Coffee. Whichever coffee shop you choose, you’ll find refreshing options along with some tasty treats.


7. Listen to an Emory podcast during a walk around Lullwater Preserve.

Podcasts are a great way to learn something new at your own pace. Check out ten of our favorite Emory podcasts and hear from experts while taking a leisurely stroll through Lullwater Preserve. Explore topics like the Georgia Civil Rights Cold Case Project, sports analytics, career paths and more.


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