Perspectives: Studying locations
The scent of roasted coffee beans and warm butter croissants wafts through the bustling cafe. Scattered conversations fill the crowded room, and not a seat is left empty. I clutch my canvas tote bag tightly in my hand as I maneuver between pushed-out seats and standing customers until finally, I spot an empty chair in the corner of the room. Excitement bubbles in my mind as I place my tote bag on the table and make my way towards the ordering counter — my weekend study session would soon commence.
Studying at a cafe truly transforms the task from a mundane obligation to an exciting experience. Drinking a freshly brewed latte while completing my calculus homework or enjoying a freshly baked pesto panini between homework sets, I feel motivated to push through my work knowing a delicious reward awaits at the end. The endless selection of food not only motivates me to begin studying at the cafe, but also refuels me throughout my seemingly endless study session.
The aesthetic decor in my local cafes also allows me to romanticize my studying experience. Studying in a neat, tastefully decorated environment boosts my own productivity and instantly livens my mood. When I put on my black Sony headphones and ambient piano music begins flowing through my ears, I truly feel like one of those aesthetic lifestyle YouTubers that always appears so put together. I sometimes even dress up to go to study at cafes, and looking more put-together allows me to feel more productive and organized while doing my work.
The cafe setting also prevents me from falling victim to the numerous distractions that await me at home. When I am studying in my room, my phone always seems to call out my name, compelling my hand to move towards the tempting yet forbidden device. My comfortable bed lays right behind my desk, and I find myself taking “power naps” far more often than I should. Even when I am not napping, the coziness of my room often makes me sleepy, leading me to doze off while doing my homework. Five minute study breaks also quickly turn into hours of scrolling on TikTok when I am left alone in my room.
The risk of distraction instantly vanishes the moment I step into a crowded cafe. Surrounded by others who are similarly typing away on their computers or taking notes in a worn out notebook, I am reminded of my true objective: to study. The productivity that pervades the space makes me feel obligated to begin my work instead of procrastinating for hours on end, a bad habit that usually happens when I study at home. In fact, I even feel guilty when I begin to scroll through my phone at the cafe.
Along with the productive environment, the promise of studying at a cafe has taught me how to enjoy studying. The change of scenery for my studying adds an exciting twist to my usual weekend routine, and learning how to effectively use my time to achieve my academic goals feels truly rewarding.
A purring ball of fur jumps onto my desk, small paws pattering over pages of math homework. I laugh and move my cat off the table and onto my lap where she rests, eyes blinking slowly. The only study companion I need, albeit a sleepy one, she cheers me on with reassuring purrs while I focus on lines of polynomials and derivatives. Only at home can I find this encouragement while studying.
The comfort of my own room, my own space, reduces stress. I can concentrate better, making the learning process not just effective but also enjoyable. This not only enhances my focus, but also alleviates some of the stress I feel towards learning. The process of studying and retaining the information that I am reviewing becomes more sustainable.
Cafes are eternally permeated by the bubbling noises of their patrons. Even blasting my music sometimes doesn’t drown out the sounds of everyone else. At home, I can enjoy the soothing quiet of my own room, with only the whirring of my fan (and the purring of my cat) keeping me company.
Perhaps I am simply a homebody, but studying at my house is more convenient. For one, it eliminates the time expenditure that comes along with having to commute to and from cafes. When sitting at a cafe table, I can’t help but feel slightly anxious when working through homework or studying in public or wonder what everybody passing by thinks of me and my work.
I also feel a certain amount of pressure when considering going out to study — everyone around me at the cafe is always so well put-together, I have to dress up to their standards. As I live 10 minutes away from the nearest café, it is not worth the effort necessary to make myself fit to go out, and then to drive to the location, the process of having to leave my house cutting a fair chunk out of the time I would have to work.
Being at home also allows me a greater degree of flexibility in regards to when I start and stop studying. This flexibility caters to my peak productivity hours — as a night owl, a lot of cafes are closed when I am at my most focused. Nothing beats the satisfaction of a window, slightly ajar, blowing clean air into my room as my legs are warm and comfortable under a throw blanket beneath my desk.
Whenever I go to a cute cafe, I always find myself purchasing an overpriced drink, just for the cafe aesthetic. However, after purchasing all the necessary ingredients to make my own perfect matcha latte at home, I’ve found that the appeal of cafe-made drinks has decreased significantly. After all, my at-home replacement is both cheaper and more tailored to my own taste buds. I am able to experience the ambience of sipping on a pretty drink while taking notes without having to spend seven dollars for four ounces of ice!
Cafes are great places to go out and have fun, but not as great for when I need to put my head down and work. When studying, I definitely prefer the quiet coziness of my own room, with all the comforts of my house within a seconds’ walk away. Nothing can beat that!