The EPB second floor bathrooms are my favorite part of Iowa’s campus

Perhaps it’s been a rough day, and you know you can’t go home yet. Because if you go home, you will either fall asleep or watch Netflix or find something else to do that isn’t your homework.

Well, my friend, head on over to the Enligh-Philosophy Building because you’re about to be inspired!

I think it is safe to say that the most time I’ve ever spent sitting on a public toilet is in the English-Philsophy Building. There are numerous different inspirational quotes and somewhat controversial debates written all throughout the bathroom stalls in the EPB, particularly the second floor.

We can all admit that time spent on the toilet is valuable. You get some good thinking time, you get to give your legs a little break, and, depending on if you are in a hurry or not, you may pull out your phone to hop on that social media.

Social media is not necessary, though, at the EPB (and if you’re thinking you’ll be on the toilet for a while, this is definitely the best place to be). The Sharpie-d thoughts can keep you reading for longer than you could imagine.

There are so many different types of graffiti scrawled across the stall walls and doors, I have actually laughed out loud at some of the things I have read. Honestly, it is a great form of entertainment in some cases.

However, there are also some things that are on the lighter side. People not only give motivation, but they ask for it too. Metaphorical drowning is a common feeling amongst college students and some of these scribbles are equivalent to a life raft. It is a very unique support system, and while I do not condone the defacing of public property, I would encourage anyone needing some reassurance to check these out.

Ironically, I have only ever been to the restrooms on the second floor. In hopes of finding that the other floors’ restrooms were similar to that of the second, I went through each stall to find negative results. The second floor remains the only bathroom with decorated stalls.

Being a female, I have only ever been in the women’s restrooms. However, I asked a friend of mine, Nathen Spitz, to accompany on my unprofessional photography adventure to capture the men’s restrooms to see if it was any different than that of the women’s.

One thumb up for the Cubs, the other for taking pictures of the bathrooms

Unfortunately, it turns out that the men’s restrooms are not nearly as elaborate as the women’s. The second floor reigns victorious as the only defaced restrooms, and as for the men, it is very weak. Mostly political, or nonsense it turned out. 

Or politics…

However, there was one writing that Nathen photographed that I find very motivational. 

I never would have thought that I’d call the EPB bathrooms one of my favorite places on campus, but I am doing just that. Whether or not you need some motivation or inspiration, the EPB bathrooms definitely leave an impression.

So, whether you’re simply trying to use the restroom because that is what they are for, taking an artsy graffiti pic for your Instagram, or desperately seeking some reassurance for your unknown future, the EPB is the place to do so.