Campus coffee culture
Juliana Hernandez, Contributing Writer
Photo by Juliana Hernandez
The atmosphere, the sense of community and even the background noise of a coffee shop all play a role in how much or how little work gets done.
For many college students, a busy coffee shop with soft music, the noise and smell of coffee being made and people chatting is the perfect place to study. They’ve become makeshift classrooms, meeting spots and productivity hubs. Why do students choose coffee shops? How does the atmosphere impact their focus? And does the setting help or hinder their productivity? How much work actually gets done?
Grace Thompson, a Christian studies major at North Greenville University, said “I can get everything on my to-do list completed in a single coffee shop study session.”
Thompson goes to coffee shops once a week or whenever she has the time and money. For most students, escaping to a new environment helps them focus. Thompson mentioned that if the music is too loud or she decides to go with friends she can get distracted, but that the sound of a coffee shop is perfect.
“Another thing that is distracting is my own environment,” she said. “When I am in my dorm, I get distracted with other things I have to do, so going to a coffee shop takes that away.”
Research on “Café-like noise levels ideal for office spaces” by the University of Portsmouth explored how moderate ambient noise helps mask distracting sounds and supports productivity and wellbeing. Total silence can make smaller noises more distracting. While moderate background sound helps people concentrate because it masks “interrupting” noises or sudden disruptions. This supports what Thompson said about how background hum helps her focus.
There is a sense of accountability for some college students when studying at coffee shops. With everyone on their computer working, there is no choice but to do the same.
Natili Perrin, health science major, said, “With everyone there, I feel the need to actually work instead of scrolling on my phone and procrastinating.”
Having a study partner or classmate expecting you to show up can also help with accountability.
“I like to study with a few girls in my major because we have some of the same classes and can answer each other’s questions,” Perrin said.
Setting personal deadlines can play a similar role as external accountability, encouraging oneself to be more consistent or productive.
According to North Carolina State University, coffee shops also often have natural lighting which has been proven to promote a more relaxing, productive environment. For students who spend hours staring at computer screens and textbooks, the presence of sunlight can make a noticeable difference in both focus and mood. Instead of the fluorescent lights that are found in libraries or dorms, the natural light of a coffee shop can create a calmer atmosphere that encourages longer, and more comfortable study sessions. This is one reason that explains why so many college students gravitate toward coffee shops.
Beyond caffeine and quiet focus, coffee shops also provide a sense of community that some students say helps them feel less alone in their academic struggles.
Cooper Benjamin, a communication major, said, “I’ve actually met people at coffee shops who I didn’t expect to see, and we ended up studying together. It feels less intimidating than reaching out in class.”
This social aspect can be just as important as coffee or studying alone. The energy of a busy coffee shop often motivates students to concentrate, and running into classmates can turn into unexpected study sessions.
Coffee shops may never replace libraries, study rooms, or dorms but they offer something unique, an environment that mixes work with atmosphere and solitude with social connection. College students choose coffee shops because they can get a lot of work done, they can stay focused most of the time and the setting helps their productivity.
As long as the drinks keep flowing and the Wi-Fi holds up, coffee shops will remain a second home for students chasing productivity, community and a little inspiration.
