5 Things To Help You Cope With Starting The Fall Semester

Every time you feel like the start of a semester has become an overwhelming experience, we recommend you open up this article and use it as a directory to help you cope. From wonderful distractions to the best hangout spots, we’ll be your guide to readjusting to the Fall semester after a summer break.

1. Agreeing on a go-to hangout spot

After a full day of classes, leaving campus and going to your go-to spot will help you make your day a little more bearable. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to recharge before getting started on assignments or you want to forget all about the papers you have due for next week, we’ve got a few suggestions.

Great hangout spots (where you can actually study) around Beirut include places like: B Hive, Antwork, Kalei Coffee Co., and more. There also other cool hangout spots where you can have fun with your friends, like: TheBoardRoom, Living Room, Multiverse, and more.

Our most helpful section for this tip would be #CoffeeSpots!

2. Finding your comfort food and/or drink

Some of us really love reaching for our favorite comfort food and drinks when we’re overwhelmed, and since we’re starting a new semester, we’re on a mission to find something new to fixate on for the rest of the academic year.

Though our #Foodies section is always helpful, we recommend looking for your go-to bites. Are you a burger lover? Which fuels you up better: shawarma or sandwiches? Some all-rounders include places like Hassoun Snack and Basterma Bedo. And if you want to stick to some of the classics, don’t forget that a trip to Universal Snack will always hit the spot!

If you want something a little more niche, here’s a Beirut bistro where you can enjoy cold beer with their delicious baguettes.

3. Trying out a new hobby

The oldest trick in the book, but it is still super effective! Just as your go-to comfort food, hobbies can act as a comforting and therapeutic activity.

Before you start getting swamped with schoolwork, it would be great to find a hobby that you think will help you ease into the semester.

Luckily for you, we wrote 8 Fun Hobbies You Can Pick Up In Beirut (and they’re beginner friendly!). There are so many new things for you to get into the habit of doing, from art gallery scouting to café hopping to bike riding around the city. Our favorite one is hobby #7 on that list!

4. Making new friends

And we don’t necessarily mean people from class or someone you bonded with on campus over how much workload you already have on the first week. We recommend going out and about, meeting strangers, and starting conversations with people at your favorite spots to make the Fall semester more bearable.

If you’re feeling extra social, we have a list of places where you can meet new people in Beirut. From work/study spots to coffee shops, social butterflies will thrive at these vibrant destinations.

But if you’re on the shy side, then here’s a list of places where you can make friends without even trying! Our top picks from that list: Front Door, Saj Stories, and Riwaq. Bonus points if you go to pet-friendly spots, because nothing says “be my friend!” like someone with a cute dog. Oh, and of course we have a #PetFriendly section for that.

5. Visiting a new place during your free time

Who doesn’t love visiting new places in Beirut? Whether it’s coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, or bars, city dwellers have a knack for locating the best of Beirut. But if you don’t frequent the city, don’t fret! We’ve got your back with an entire section dedicated to #WhatsNew in the country.

Café hoppers, you might want to try: Moon’s Coffee Shop and Bakery, Scrolle, Steampunk, or one of these cool wellness spots in Beirut.

If you’re looking for places that are perfect for a casual outing (and a few drinks), then maybe try: Slot, Fizz, Raseef, or one of these 17 bars troittoirs.

Good luck on starting your Fall semester!