Studying in Coffee Shops?
By thebassdude
@thebassdude (342)
Philippines
October 24, 2010 10:03am CST
Nowadays, I often see a lot of students occupying tables in coffee shops, reading thick textbooks, and basically lost in their own academic worlds. They might be alone, in pairs, or in groups, and some of them might even have earphones stuck to their ears.
Personally, I don't feel comfortable with hanging out in coffee shops just to study. I find it very distracting since I tend to people-watch and also get easily disturbed by the conversations that are going on around you. I would rather study in the comforts of my own home, though there are also other temptations there (like internet, tv, and my bed). However, I understand that for other people the coffee shops are their haven, especially if their homes are not very conducive to studying (especially for people who live in dorms).
What about you? Would you be more productive if you study in coffee shops, or would this setup not also work for you? :)
2 people like this
25 responses
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
25 Oct 10
Studying in coffee shops is not the norm here. Most students prefer air conditioned places such as cafes, fast food restaurants and even airport. Out of the three, airport is the most popular choice due to the space they wanted. More than often, I see groups of them studying, reading but at the same time with headphones in their ear. This comes as a wonder to me, if they want privacy, why come in a big group in the first place? Another thing is that, they usually stay on for hours and are they really able to study so much in one sitting?
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
28 Oct 10
heheh yeah that's why I find it a bit odd that they choose to study at the airport. :p The only reason I could think off is free WiFi. :p
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
Wow, I've never heard that one before... thank you for sharing. :) I've seen study groups in cafes, restaurants, bet never at an airport. :) Why do you think most students there flock to the airport to study?
1 person likes this
@beeh13u (1037)
• Philippines
24 Oct 10
Coffee shops are nice areas to relax but not study. Students like to study there because they think it is cooler to read there than in the library. But in the coffee shop, I like to read pocketbook, hang out with friends, surf the net. It has a great ambiance there. I can't concentrate what I am reading if I study for an exam in a noisy environment.
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
24 Oct 10
Good point. Perhaps they enjoy it because they're with their peers? :)
@Raven90 (1)
• United States
24 Oct 10
agreed well i can not focuses on my work in environments like that ether now at home i may play music while i study but the consent distraction of people walking through makes it nearly imposable to really absorb the material.
@zadkiel217 (7)
• United States
24 Oct 10
I like this. I didn't think of that in my reply. My socialogy class is have an effect my replies.
@animegirl334 (3263)
• United States
24 Oct 10
A coffee house has a nice atmosphere for studying but I am like you and cannot concentrate with noise around me or people staring at me. Some people are able to concentrate even in crowded areas and some wear headphones for that reason. Also in coffee houses, there is an unlimited amount of coffee available. Coffee house isn't the ideal studying place for everyone but it could be a great place for some.
@animegirl334 (3263)
• United States
27 Oct 10
Yes, the thought of people looking at you is definitely the bad thing about studying in public places. As for coffee, I've drank two pots of coffee during one studying session before. 
It's pretty crazy. I try not to drink so much especially since it makes me hyper and then I cannot concentrate (or sleep either).
It's pretty crazy. I try not to drink so much especially since it makes me hyper and then I cannot concentrate (or sleep either).@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
24 Oct 10
I know the feeling... I tried to use earphones before so as not to be distracted, but I still felt conscious about every action that I made. I like the part where you mentioned the unlimited amount of coffee... how much do you usually consume in one study session? :)
@Hardboi18 (15)
• Philippines
26 Oct 10
For me, studying in coffee shop is good rather in my room because our place is to crowded i can hear all the words that came out to there mouth which i can say that coffee shops would be a better place where there is silence and peace.. that all i can say for now..
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
27 Oct 10
In that case, studying in a coffee shop would be beneficial. It's important that you're comfortable while you're studying... when we're relaxed our brain works a whole lot better. If the ambiance of the coffee shop helps you relax, then I say go there to study. :)
@RisaAttrell (418)
• Canada
25 Oct 10
if the music is not too loud, and it's not too crowded, it might be a good place to study.
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
Definitely! A coffee shop is actually a very comfy place to study in. If the ambient noise is minimal and if the place isn't too crowded, then it would really be conducive to studying. :)
@RisaAttrell (418)
• Canada
25 Oct 10
Just as an aside, i am very tired today-i went to a coffee shop and accidently spilled a little less than half my cup of coffee. Another customer helped me get some napkins.
@emgee595 (335)
• Philippines
29 Oct 10
Hi there! Normally I prefer studying in the library, in my room or somewhere relaxing and silent. However, there are also times when I want a change of atmosphere thus, I end up in quiet restaurants or coffee shops which are not very crowded and where the food and drinks are something which delights me. A cozy ambiance is a must. But if I were to really concentrate and have "quality" study time I would still choose to have aprivate and quiet room for myself and that's in my bedroom. Studying in public places like coffee shops or bars causes a lot of distraction and disturbance which are not welcome when I am seriously studying. hehehe.:D Have a good day and happy mylotting!
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
29 Oct 10
Back in college I never studied in the library. It was so cold in there. Whenever I study there the only thing I accomplished was catch a few ZZzzzz's :p
@ellyse2003 (1463)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
personally when I have a free time at school or break time for about two hours, I always hang out alone at coffee shops. Coffee shops has free wifi connection which I really need to do my assignments or research, it makes me comfortable to drink a cup of coffee while waiting my next subject in school. The mall is very near at my school so i don't have to take a lot of time to travel.
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
That's actually a good point you brought up. Everyone loves free WiFi, and why not? :p Like you, I love coffee too. And yes, it does help calm the nerves. ..and it's really cool that the mall is near your school.
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
24 Oct 10
same here.. i like to hang out in a coffee shop ever since but not to study. i bring books sometimes but not textbooks. i sometimes read but i often surf online. i easily get distracted so i prefer somewhere i can see nobody and hear nothing but the AC.
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
I guess we're very similar. I also can't concentrate when a room is too noisy or busy. I easily get distracted. I'd rather lock myself up in my room and study alone. I do realize the advantages of having a study group so I'm also all for that... but I usually need to go through the lesson alone first, and then join a study group afterwards. :)
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
25 Oct 10
I'm one of those people who sometimes study at coffee shops or even at Burguer King. The reason is that my school is far from my home, and sometimes a few hours after school I have to work. In that case if I go back home I won't have time at all to study, so it's better to find a place with tables where I can place my books and do my best to try to concentrate. It's difficult, but it's better than being in the street without any table neither a place to sit down 
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
I hope you're not stressing yourself out dude. Make sure to still take plenty of rest when you find the time. Our body and mind needs to recharge time and again. How many hours a day are you usually out (for school and work)? Do you also go with study groups whenever you opt to study at a cafe or restaurant? Some people say study groups actually help. :)
@Jacobus1919 (1683)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
I have been studying in coffee shops a lot these days. I tend to study more compared to studying at home. Usually, I end up studying because me and my friends meet up then study. Studying is better if people around you are also studying. Right?
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
I've been in a study group before and I must say, it did help. I guess just being with people who are also studying does inspire you to do the same. You kind of feed off each other's intensity and because of that you get inspired. And coffee helps keep you all awake and alert. :P
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
Me too. With regards to "study routine" ...as much as I'd hate to admit it ...I'm a bit of a crammer. :p I'm usually at my best a few hours before a deadline. hehehe. I really don't know why, but for some reason, I feel more confident whenever I cram.
@digidon (165)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
I really depends on the person... some study in coffee shops because if they study in their houses, their greatest enemy is the bed... :) The enemy for me in coffee shops is AC plugs... there are only few plugs and sometimes you need to wait in line just to use the plugs... :)) all else, the coffee shop for me :D I'm doing this response in a coffee shop =))
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
hahaha. very true! I remember studying for the midterm/final exams back when I was still a student. You prep yourself for a study session that theoretically should last until the wee hours of the morning... but you end up unintentionally falling asleep. Then you wake up the next day in a state of panic. :p
And yeah, coffee shops should make sure that there are enough power outlets available to their customers. Most people nowadays bring a laptop with them so they could check up on emails and their social networks. Providing enough power outlets (and free WiFi) is actually a great come on for customers. :)
@ivanmarginal (675)
• Indonesia
24 Oct 10
This question reminds me for what I used to do years ago. It was when I wanted to register in my university now. To pass the test, I studied hard every day. And when boredom came, I went to coffee shops to enjoy a cup of hot coffee. yes, I studied then there. It was very great to study there. I could deal with difficult things while having a coffee. I asked some friends then to accompany me. They were OK and said it was great too!
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
24 Oct 10
Yeah, i agree that a great cup of coffee can really help you relax. I often meet up with friends and catch up with their lives in coffee shops. :)
@marco83 (42)
• Italy
24 Oct 10
I used to study in the cofee shop when I was at the High school. For me It wasn't good but it was the only way to study with the other guys. In this way it was possible to share opinion and doubts and it was easier to study. However I neded to study alone after to have a good preparation.
@thebassdude (342)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
Oh I see. You organize study groups in coffee shops... pretty cool. :)
@tonyllenium (6252)
• Italy
26 Oct 10
in reality when i attend the university i tried to study for example in some coffee shop but i found it not reeally useful!!it was hard to take the right concentration and in any cases i was distracted from somehing else or from some people i know say me hello!!I always found that the right place to study is at home ..there i can take the concetration and learn much than when i am outside!
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
25 Oct 10
I think people who study in places which have people coming in and out are not really serious about studying. They are only there for the ambiance and company, and studying is only second to the real purpose of hanging out with friends. I know that personally, I wouldn't be able to seriously study in a coffee shop.
@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
25 Oct 10
I think it can be nice, but I would not want to do it all the time, since it can be easy to get distracted. But I think it is good to vary your study method from time to time, sometimes study at home, and sometimes in a coffee shop, so you do not get too bored with any method.
@liuyh0619 (108)
• China
25 Oct 10
Coffer house is a good place to have a conversation with friends or refresh myself with favorite coffer. In my impression, coffer house never connect with the study. The atmosphere around here make me hard to concentrate. But it's a good choice to consider some issue in coffer shop it's really efficient to me.
@lxho99 (74)
• Malaysia
25 Oct 10
No. I don't think that study in coffee shop will be more productive. For other people, I not sure what they feel. But, for me, it is exactly not work. This is because I cannot concentrate on my study at all, I will look around to see what other people doing.
Also, sometimes coffee shop is quite noisy, some people may talking, laughing, watching TV and so on.
Besides, the boss of that coffee shop may not allow you to sit there for a longer time, as he/she need to do business for other people too.
So, I prefer my study in the library, more comfortable than coffee shop. This is because of library is more quiet than the coffee shop, and it got air-conditioner, wireless network, etc. It is convenient as many facilities provided.
@Journalwriter (5)
• United States
25 Oct 10
I love coffee shops! I think it is a wonderful atmosphere to study and even read in. What better place than where you can get coffee, relax and enjoy the aromas while studying!
