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The Five Best Coffee Runs on Campus

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Jennifer Chang Student Contributor, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When it’s early morning and you want something to sip on in class, a quick coffee run always does the job. Not only does it keep you from dozing off in class, but it can also boost your productivity throughout the day. Here are my favorite go-to coffee spots on campus!

UMass library during early morning.
Ella Baker-Dekater
People’s Market

First on the list is People’s Market, located on the side of the Student Union. This is my favorite go-to spot by far. Not only are you able to customize your own coffee drink, but you’re also able to get a freshly toasted bagel with it. They have a wide variety of syrups to choose from and a good selection of milk, and they are reasonably priced compared to many other cafes on campus.

The inside is incredibly cute, and they have limited seating both inside and outside for people to study. I love going in the morning when there’s less traffic and everything is still stocked, but it’s also a nice spot to stop by in between classes because of its convenient location. I’ve been going here almost every morning for the past week, and I don’t think I’m stopping soon. 

Procrastination Station

If you visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Library often, then you’ve definitely heard about the Procrastination Station or at least peeked inside. Located right inside the library, past the elevators, awaits a fast-paced, lively, and small cafe. As a frequent library guest, I would often take a break from my studies and make my way down to the cafe. It’s a great place to get a quick pick-me-up whenever you’re studying for a boost of energy. I especially like how fast they are at making drinks; you can be in and out in less than 10 minutes. Definitely another frequented cafe of mine.

Roots Cafe

Roots is one of my favorite group study spots on campus. It’s in the Commonwealth Honors College and has a spacious interior that makes it extremely comfortable for hanging out. I usually stop by when I’m picking my friends up from the Honors dorm because of how close they are, which makes it a favorite spot for anyone living in those dorms. It’s modern, vibrant, and stays open later compared to other regular cafe spots. It’s a great place to stop by if you’re living in the Commonwealth Honors area; otherwise, I think it’s a great spot to study with friends as well. 

Integrated Science Building Cafe

Although I’m not a STEM student, I find myself in the Integrated Science Building sometimes when I need to study in silence. They serve Starbucks with a variety of pastries. Most of my STEM major friends say that it’s a nice little cafe to dash in between classes for a boost. The place is small, and there’s limited seating near it, but most people don’t stick around, treating it as more of a pit stop. It’s nice if you’re often near the ISB or just in that area of campus. If you’re looking for something efficient and will do the job, this is the place to go.

Peet’s Coffee

This might be biased because the bulk of my classes are in the Integrated Learning Center, where this lovely spot is located, but I do truly love Peet’s Coffee. My first time trying a lavender latte was at Peet’s, and that was a life-changing moment for me. I remember being so amazed by the lavender flavor and raving nonstop to all my friends about it and how they needed to try it as soon as possible.

Some, if not all, of my friends disagree with me, unfortunately. They do bring up good points when they mention that it really depends on who makes your drink because sometimes, I’ll stop by and my latte won’t be as good. This is especially true for the matcha there. Although the consistency is lacking, the coffee, location, and overall vibes are still fantastic. Especially with having multiple locations on campus. 

UMass Amherst Campus
Original photo by Abby Champoux

There are so many cafes around campus, but these are my top five most frequented. Depending on where you mostly reside around campus, choosing a place that’s convenient is important as the school year gets busier. It can also be a nice, quick break from all the classes and workload. Try them out and see which one you like best. 

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Jennifer Chang

U Mass Amherst '29

Undergraduate student majoring in Econ at the University of Massachusetts. I enjoy reading, journaling, and exploring the outdoors in my free time!