Starbucks crowd creates poor study space
Starbucks, known for their iconic brand name and popular holiday menu, is the largest coffee chain in the US, but how does its study atmosphere compare?
When I first arrived at the Bexley Starbucks, I found myself staring at two beautiful chandeliers hanging from a high ceiling. The lighting from all the windows created a roomy and welcoming atmosphere.
With over 20 tables and a wide capacity of seating, it’s undeniably a place meant for working. Additionally, outdoor and indoor seating, including a quiet vault, area make Starbucks an even better place for studying.
The vault, located in the back corner of the cafe, is secluded from the rest of the coffee shop. Originally a bank vault, the small room is a quieter area for people to study away from the noise. My eyes were immediately drawn to the paintings hung on the walls, giving an abstract feel to an otherwise boring space.
The vault, having only five seating arrangements, with benches and chairs facing each other, tends to feel claustrophobic. Although it’s a more private and quiet space, I found the vault to be uncomfortably small. The amount of chairs and tables made the area feel much more crowded, making it a poor place to study.
However, not worrying about the hassle of pausing your work if you’re hungry or thirsty is a great benefit. Starbucks has almost every possible drink you’re looking for, with a delicious selection of bakery items to go along with it.
Even though Starbucks seems like the perfect place, its bustle and popularity creates an easy
distraction, and it’s likely you’ll even encounter someone you know while trying to study. Also, the noise level can be bother- some for concentrating.
Preparing for exams can be stressful, and getting work done takes a lot of time. So, if going to a loud place with potential distractions and a large crowd is a problem, Starbucks likely isn’t the place to study for your midterms.
Stauf’s Coffee Roasters provides cozy space
When it comes to finding a place to prepare for upcoming exams, Stauf’s Coffee Roasters in German Village is the perfect place to sit down and study for a few hours.
When I arrived, I first noticed the outside seating was well shaded, and the large windows of the coffee shop were warm and inviting.
Stauf’s is split into two different sections: the right side is a mix of seating and a gift shop, and the left side is the main seating area with a counter where food and drinks are served.
The lighting was dim but bright enough to see what I was working on, and the music they played was calming. Additionally, the cafe smelled like a mixture of coffee
beans and caramel, which helped me relax from the ongoing stress of studying.
Despite the peaceful tunes, the noises the floor boards made were loud and bothersome, and the occasional traffic outside made it difficult to focus.
The person working behind the counter didn’t make an effort to start a distracting conversation, and he made little noise as he worked, which helped me concentrate on studying.
Other than this and a few conversations here and there, Stauf’s was very quiet. The silence was helpful and allowed me to concentrate on my work. The quiet made it clear the staff and patrons view the cafe as a place to study as well.
Five of the 15 tables were occupied, mostly by students quietly working on their laptops. During my time at Stauf’s, I noticed the number of customers remained steady.
Stauf’s is a great place to study because of its relaxing and hushed environment and the small number of customers. With exams, Stauf’s provides both room to focus on studying, and an escape from cold weather.
Cherbourg Bakery offers peace during exams
Known for their traditional recipes and welcoming sense of community, Cherbourg Bakery on Drexel Avenue is an excellent place to study for stressful exams.
The morning I visited Cherbourg Bakery, street parking was the only option, but the lack of cars parked in the spaces made it easier to find a spot.
The inside of the bakery was very small, yet its welcoming atmosphere made me feel comfortable and at ease. The lights inside were bright, making it a lot easier to see everything, and there was no music playing.
On the right side of Cherbourg Bakery, the employees worked behind a large counter displaying all of the pastries. However, it was close to the seating area, so you could hear every sound they made when they were working, which was bothersome.
Their food and drinks are all gluten-free, nut-free and dye-free, allowing people with food allergies to safely enjoy the bakery’s treats.
Other than the employees behind the counter, there were only a few people who bought things
to-go, so I was the only person sitting down in the bakery. The seclusion was surprisingly beneficial because I didn’t have a lot of distractions from other patrons while I was studying. Also, the employees noticed I was busy working, and they didn’t attempt to strike up a conversation with me, which allowed me to focus.
Although the noises of the employees at the counter were occasionally distracting, I recommend Cherbourg Bakery as an exceptional place to study for exams. The food, drinks and service were all great, and studying was enjoyable. I also got a lot of work done because the environment inside the cafe was, for the most part, quiet, welcoming and peaceful.
Kittie’s Cakes not ideal for exam studying
Kittie’s Cakes is filled with friendly people, which creates a welcoming atmosphere for all. However, after spending time completing work, the same can’t be said for its studying environment.
Stopping by after school, my eyes drew right to the table in front of me and the small walkway towards the counter.
Observing the clean and welcoming environment, I noticed it was shockingly empty. The few people there made the room feel as though the cafe was larger. This made studying somewhat easier, but doesn’t make up for the poor layout.
Four small booths are set up facing the door, cramming the booths and work spaces together. The menu is organically based, selling and catering homemade baked goods and delicious coffee, tea and holiday drinks.
Walking a bit more toward the counter, there’s a book store, Gramercy Books, directly connected and open to Kittie’s. Even if you don’t want to sit in the bookstore, this could
be useful in case a book is needed during a study session.
Additionally, Kittie’s provides both indoor and outdoor seating. During
the colder months, they put a wind protector over the space, supplying some warmth. With a larger sized space, it has potential for studying. However, if sitting on cold wood isn’t your thing, then it’s inconvenient for books, laptops and focusing.
It would be problematic if a student were to set up and study if other patrons are doing the same. With the tight space and cramped feeling, studying could become stressful
and disorganized. Although the cafe is local, it might be best to go elsewhere for a more open and accessible studying atmosphere.
