Comfort Edition: Dear Reader

What are the best places to eat downtown? - Jordyn Dodd ’28

Dear Reader, 

In my experience, nothing is more comforting than enjoying a good meal with your friends downtown. My personal favorite is enjoy a nice warm bowl of pho at Pho Company Noodle House (preferably when Florida decides it doesn’t want to be a gazillion degrees out). 

Let’s start with dessert first, perfect for a good sweet treat run. Whit’s Frozen Custard, Berryville Frozen Yogurt, and Rodeo Whip are continuously argued to be the best ice cream places in DeLand. Another top contender is Pat and Toni’s Sweet Things which will either give you ten percent off your purchase or a free chocolate strawberry with a Stetson ID.

As far as restaurants go, crowd favorites typically include De La Vega, Urban Brick, or El Taco Rico. Fun fact about all of those places is that you can also get ten percent off your purchase with your Stetson ID. Also, Boston’s or Trilogy are good options for some caffeine intake (a must for me) and guess what! Ten percent off with that ID! That lil’ thing comes in useful for more than just getting to your resident hall or using a meal swipe. 

Sara Ward ’27

What are good spaces to study if you have trouble focusing? - Yadhira Medina ’28

Dear reader,

If you are having trouble focusing, it may be a good idea to evaluate what makes a good study environment for you. If you have difficulty concentrating in quiet environments, I might recommend finding a group of friends or peers to study with. They do not necessarily have to be on the same academic track as you, but sometimes having other people around while we study can help the time pass by. You can also ask someone in the group if they would be willing to test you on the material. With this route, I would probably recommend studying in one of your dorm’s shared spaces or a study room in one of the academic halls. However, if distractions are causing you trouble (whether it be your phone or a roommate), the library basement is a designated quiet space with minimal distractions. You can also try putting your phone on do not disturb, or minimizing distractions in your space by communicating that you need some silent time. 

De’Vanese John-Baptiste ’26