“Asking Stanford” is a series of small stories from Stanford students, each of which comes together to highlight the diversity of experiences and perspectives on campus. This week’s installment investigates the perfect Stanford weekend, which turns out to be one topic that students actually agree on.

Outdoor activities

Friday: I have class on Friday mornings and lecture early in the afternoon, so I’d ideally finish up classes and some work before three. Later, I’d go for an afternoon run with friends and maybe lie in the grass outside my dorm afterwards. I’d get dinner with my friends and go out on Friday night. Saturday, I’d wake up and do a morning dish run, and then get brunch and finish up some more work outdoors. Saturday evening I’d go to the beach with friends and we’d have a picnic and drive up the coast. Sunday, I’d sleep in and catch up on tasks for the week, and then go for a swim. – Anya Vedantambe ’28

Time inside and out of the Stanford bubble

Morning run around the lake, work outside someplace cute, dinner off-campus, movie or video game night in a friend’s dorm. A spontaneous trip somewhere? – Suah Nah ’27

My ideal weekend would include swimming in the early mornings, spending the afternoons reading in the sun and biking around campus, and picnicking on the Oval. On Saturday I would take a daytime excursion to the beach with friends and then go out to dinner in San Francisco. Maybe I would even go paddle boarding in Half Moon Bay if I’m feeling adventurous! – Helen Katz ’27

Home bases on campus

My ideal Stanford weekend is the end result of a productive week. On Saturday, I’d sleep-in and then do, in my opinion, the most therapeutic chore there is: laundry. Later, I’d have a nice brunch at FloMo and take a sunny stroll around campus. After a whimsical journey of taking in numerous campus wonders, I’d order yet another grilled cheese and tomato soup combo at CoHo alongside an iced chai. Sunday would be filled with lovely Daily meetings and being overjoyed by FloMo’s trademark Indian food dinner. – Sebastian Strawser ’27

A little bit of everything

I feel like I could have five different, equally perfect Stanford weekends in the spring.

The perfect Thursday (night): Trivia, Treehouse margs, production night at The Daily.

The perfect Friday: a morning run around Lake Lag, followed by some reading in the sun, a student forum at the tour guide office, a row signature event with friends, and a well-planned on call in the Eucalipto lounge.

The perfect Saturday: my favorite day – a free for all. Maybe a day trip to Half Moon Bay or San Francisco or Santa Cruz. Maybe a hike, or café hopping? Something different to break up the rhythm, something sweet to cap off the day, and I get home in time to do some work. 

The perfect Sunday: a morning long run, a well-attended section meeting at the Daily House, some time to write or clean or plan for the week. The perfect Sunday ends early to ensure a perfect Monday. – Erin Ye ’26