Remember procrastinating your college chemistry homework? Those were stressful years — finals, part-time jobs in the evenings, shoestring budgets. There's something to be said about the ability to maintain a social life in creative ways, even when life was nothing but go, go, go.
Even strapped for cash, college kids of yesteryears found ways to fill the years with good times on the cheap. Whether at a coffee shop or a local mountain escape, here are some of the places Utah college students would regularly be spotted.
Angie's diner
Say you went to Utah State University without saying it. You loved to "clean the sink," didn't you? But not in the way people think — this was no part-time job.
Logan is home to one of the most iconic American diners in the state, and students were pros at finishing the gargantuan ice cream sundae that Angie's calls "The Sink." You probably still have that cool bumper sticker for demolishing it at record speed. The sugar crash was worth it!
Wind Caves
Did you meet your college bestie from Utah State on a group hike to the Wind Caves? And does that friend still have your trekking poles they borrowed for the hike, too? Well, there's no time for grudges when there are mountains to climb and finals to finish. This 4(ish)-mile jaunt to huge limestone arches and caverns overlooking Logan Canyon was a core memory for many an Aggie.
Brick Oven and the Pie
Late-night cramming and a cheesy slice go hand in hand. If you attended BYU, you likely ordered from Brick Oven due to the generous student takeout discounts on pizzas. A penny pinched is a pizza earned.
And then there's the Pie Pizzeria-Underground — voted Utah's best pizza. The highlight of your semester was probably heading to the basement of a University of Utah campus pharmacy with some friends (sounds sketchy) to inhale some iconic slices after finals. There are other locations, but for students and professors, this one takes the cake — or, rather, the pie.
Caffeine breaks
Did you need caffeine to finish college, or are you weird? Jokes aside, most students studying all day end up at a coffee shop with friends to sip and commiserate.
You probably stopped at the campus coffee shop for a regular boost between classes. But when you needed a break from campus walls, you probably went to Coffee Break or Publik for a more social vibe.
If coffee wasn't your thing, you and the crew probably stocked up on Red Bulls at one of the walk-in energy drink coolers in gas stations or went on an absolutely necessary Dutch Bros run for a mixed Rebel energy drink.
Capitol Overlook and Capitol Park
When you stare at textbooks all day, sometimes you just need to go touch grass. If you went to the University of Utah, you probably spent the warmer semesters strolling at Capitol Park or relaxing at the Capitol Overlook in the Avenues. Both had rather inspiring views that reset your stressed and overworked brain.
The Y hike
If you attended Utah Valley University or Brigham Young University, you likely appreciated the stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains and proximity to trailheads.
Whether you went to UVU or BYU, you had to hike the Top of the Y trail behind BYU's campus. It was a right of passage. It's also notoriously difficult — 1,000 feet of elevation gain in just over a mile! Talk about bragging rights all semester long.
Kyhv Peak Overlook
Your mom (and every crime junkie ever) probably told you to never go for a ride to a remote mountain overlook with just any old date. But if you were a Wolverine or a Cougar, you probably took at least one date to the Kyhv Peak Overlook. The allure of the fresh mountain air and sparkling nighttime views of the valley just sounded too romantic to pass up.
Old Main haunting
If you're well past your college years, you know how scary it is to stay up late. But in your 20-somethings at Southern Utah University, staying up late was the easy part for one spooky tradition. To be a true T-Bird, you had to visit Old Main at midnight to spot the ghost of Virginia Loomis.
Rumor has it she's been haunting the place since her murder in 1898. Way scarier than finals!
Ski resorts
If you went to college in Utah, you probably took advantage of student discounts at mountain resorts. Your favorite way to shred off some steam was skiing or snowboarding at resorts such as Beaver Mountain Ski Resort near Logan, Sundance near Provo and Brighton near Salt Lake City.
Are there college hangouts we missed? Let us know in the comments.
