Humans are highly emotional creatures, which is sometimes an uncomfortable quality to honor. We can feel agitated, confused, disoriented, excited, hopeful, euphoric, and depressed. Our capacity to experience an unlimited range of emotions is near incomprehensible. It's ridiculous. A healthy way and favorable to release all of that pent up emotional sludge is to cry. It can feel pathetic. It can feel really shameful to feel yourself start to tear up whenever you miss an exit or watch the season finale of Orange is the New Black. It sucks. It sucks a lot, and it's constructive.

I am a firm believer that everybody needs a good, hard cry every few years. So, without further rambling, here are the top places to cry on the University of Vermont campus (I mean, obviously not from experience or anything...)

1. Bailey/Howe basement bathrooms

I regard this as one of the most private places on campus. This is the area of the basement between the media center and private government documents. It's generally unoccupied enough for a solitary, quiet cry. You also will have quick access to rental DVDs or the free book shelf for the recovery period.

2. Davis Center single stall restrooms

Disclaimer: Limit crying time to 10 minutes. The priority use for these bathrooms are for people who do not identify as cisgender male or female, so don't hog the space. That being said, if you're looking for a short, loud cry, this might be the place for you. The bonus? Showers to cover up any loud sniffling.

3. Student Government Association office space

In a room of students with unreal amounts of papers to work on, Hertz vans to book, e-mails to send, and exams to cram for, you won't be judged crying in this space. Chances are, students in the cubicle right next to you wish they could do the same.

4. Your adviser's office

I understand that a lot of students either do not know their advisers personally or don't want their advisers to know how human they are, but I promise you, this is the best way to break the ice. Your adviser may not respond well to the initial sobbing, but they'll remember you (which actually works to your advantage).

5. Cook Commons basement

This is the basement under the Cook Commons dining facility that connects to the Billings Lecture hall area. This is a usually empty hallway, but is now occupied by the Cat Card Center on the periphery. That being said, it's still pretty secluded and in abundance after business hours.

6. Anywhere in Harris/Millis Fine Dining

We all know the nickname/colloquial term for this facility, don't shame yourself for crying here. There are worse things that have happened, probably. Bonus points for a 2AM waffle-indulging cry.

7. Counseling and Psychiatry Services in CWPS

Ahh, a place professionally designated for a good cry. CAPS provides short-term, individual and group counseling for students of the University of Vermont. There are trained counselors for mental health support of all calibers willing to sit with you while you cry. Call CAPS at 802-656-3340 to make an appointment.

8. The Flying Diaper

This is great for a very public and elevated cry. It's a landmark. Yeah, you'll be on display, but you'll also be achieving an emotional milestone.

9. The Feel Good stand

The folks who volunteer here are some of the most kind and understanding people I've met. Each member is seeking to change the world through ending global hunger and poverty. Crying around Feel Good may actually make you, well, feel better! You'll feel supported and you'll have the option to donate to a wonderful organization in exchange for a mind-blowing grilled cheese sandwich (the sammie). Note: Do not cry here if the line is too busy.

10. Waterman basement

Similar to the Cook Commons basement, the Waterman basement has plenty of corridors to retreat into and is generally not busy. It's long, winding, and near the print and mail center (the price of shipping always makes me cry, so).

11. With the dementor statues

This is great for a spooky, outdoorsy kind of cry. You'll be artistically driven into a deeper sadness, making this cry more dramatic. Depending on the time of day, this might be a very public cry.

12. In the fountain

Another great public crying space. If the fountain is active, no one will be able to distinguish between water splashes and tears. I mean, people will be concerned regardless, but imagine how scenic of a cry this would be.

13. With Ethan Allen or Lafayette

I can't picture a more noble cry than one with these great American heroes. Sure, you may get some looks for crying at a statue, but you can play it off as being deeply moved by your profound patriotism. Bring an eagle if you want to be extra.

14. Patrick gym showers

Though a usually communal space, you may have the off-chance of having the shower to yourself. You will have the ability to mask the sounds associated with the cry, and maybe have time to blow off steam at the gym beforehand.

15. Living Well

This is one of my favorite places on campus. Living Well is a hub of healthy resources on campus, equipped with the most loving staff. Whether you are crying in a debriefing space or during a drop-in, you will be supported here. You'll also probably leave with a bunch of pamphlets, free buttons, and a cuddle from Tucker the therapy dog.

In all reality, cry where you want. Everyone has to feel at some point (I admit begrudgingly), and you don't deserve to be ashamed of that. You are not weak for being a person.

Sidenote: The only place you can't cry is the Catamount Statue. Don't cry there until you graduate. It's a rule I made up just now.