<p>I'm looking at Williams college, but it literally seems to be in the middle of nowhere on the map. Is it really or is the map deceiving me? What is there to do and what is there around the town? What do the students do when they're not studying?</p>
<p>Not studying? We do nothing but study.</p>
<p>Hahaha just kidding. There is plenty of studying to be had, even on the weekends. I mostly hang out with friends that I haven’t seen during the week, watch a movie, go to snack bar at midnight. There are definitely rambunctious parties available every weekend that I also semi-frequent. It’s definitely a good place for building personal relationships.</p>
<p>As for attractions, there definitely aren’t many. Hiking and running trails are abundant, maybe two dozen or so quaint shops and restaurants (major chains: Subway and North Face soon), Williams College Museum of Art is nice to visit every few months, really really nice athletic facilities.</p>
<p>I’m honestly so busy with schoolwork, keeping up with friends, lounging around relaxing from a hard day of classes and schoolwork, and being goofy with my entrymates to notice that there isn’t much physically in Williamstown.</p>
<p>The map is not deceiving you – Williamstown is about as small and isolated as a “college town” can get. Compared to other college towns, the indoor entertainment options are quite limited. For example, you can’t see a first-run movie as a Williams student, unless you have access to a vehicle for travel to a neighboring town.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the Williamstown area offers unusually good opportunities for outdoor recreation, like sports, hiking, running, and skiing. Williams tends to attract outdoorsy and athletic people for that reason. If you have no interest in outdoor recreation, then Williams may not be an ideal fit.</p>
<p>We get first-run movies, just one at a time…</p>
<p>To clarify, there is a one-screen movie house in Williamstown, and it does show first-run movies. But typically smaller, quirkier films, and movies for kids. Don’t expect to catch the latest and hottest Hollywood blockbusters.</p>
<p>Are there a good amount of coffee shops to study and socialize at?
And i noticed there are a couple small towns nearby, do they have anything nice?
And do students take a bus to a city or beach on the weekends or anything like that?</p>
<p>
Not particularly. There is one coffee shop on Spring Street.
The Berkshires are noted for beautiful scenery and an arts scene. North Adams, for example, has the well-known Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, which complements the Clark Art Institute and College Art Museum in Williamstown. There is a shopping mall about 20 miles to the south, but it’s not particularly exciting.
Not generally. It’s several hours by bus to Boston, New York, or the coast. </p>
<p>If you are looking for urban amenities (like coffee shops or movie theaters), or proximity to cities, Williams is not a good choice. If you like mountains, it’s a good choice.</p>
<p>In addition to being the best liberal arts college in America, Williams is renowned for having a campus quality of life that’s among the best in the country. The geography may contribute to that. The campus life at schools like NYU and Columbia is reputed to suffer from the competition that the surrounding city provides.</p>
<p>Many students also play sports, either collegiate, or club, and many take part in performing arts. Students are generally happy, but there is some self-selection. There are a lot of out-doorsy types.</p>
<p>You need to read the mission and purpose of the college and visit the historical sites and understand what this school represents.</p>
<p>If socialization is primary to a campus life, then by all means look elsewhere.</p>
<p>This is not an urbane setting nor a forum for existential exhibitionism. </p>
<p>Cheers and may find what you are looking for.</p>
<p>Happy Holidays!</p>
<p>Listen, life in Williamstown is not so bad. Yes, it is VERY small and VERY isolated. There’s not much to do in the town, but there is a sweet movie theater and a coffee shop if you’re into that. With that being said, the administration does know this and that is why there is always so much to do on campus. I am not your typical outdoorsy Williams student. I have yet to go hiking or do anything of that nature, yet I have never been bored at williams. During the week, people are usually doing homework/studying, but not an overwhelming amount. The workload is heavy, but not completely overwhelming. You can usually see students hanging out with their friends and their entry. Over the weekend, many people do go out drinking and to parties. There are also sober activities like blanket-making, movies, etc. Ultimately, it’s what you make of it–you can remain sheltered in your dorm all the time, or you can go out, socialize, and have fun. </p>
<p>Really, Williamstown is not THAT bad. Trust me, I’m from a big city and I have had no trouble adapting.</p>
<p>DS is a movie fanatic. He and his GF did take a cab to No. Adams several times for first run movies. It was very reasonable because No. Adams is quite close.</p>
<p>He is a jr. this year and has a car.</p>
<p>He never minded the insularity of W’town before this because it fostered an intense participation in EC’s: he was in two music groups and several plays. Had he been busier with an active social life and night life he would not have been able to find the time.</p>
<p>The car is mainly to get to school and back. He hasn’t gone many places with it, except for the mall and No. Adams and very local shopping.</p>
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<p>Blanket making? Could someone please elaborate?</p>
<p>I have yet to experience this hidden blanket-making subculture at Williams, but I’m intrigued.</p>
<p>LOL I remember one of the Williams Ater Dark events was making no-sew blankets.</p>