Need a change of scenery?
Deadlines loom, stress levels rise, and the four walls of your room start to suffocate you. You need to get out, but where to go? There are lots of places on campus, but they’re usually crowded and not the relaxing, motivating vibe you need the day before your big essay is due. You need to focus, preferably with a delicious beverage and relaxing music. If this sounds like you, leave your old study spot and try out these coffee shops that will give you the atmosphere you need to lock in.
Just Around the Corner: Coffee shops 10-15 minutes away from campus
Some of the best places to study are right next door and only require a short drive. I have tested many different coffee shops in my time at GCU, and these are my favorite ones that are close by.
Daydreamer: A Relaxing and Cozy Spot to Get Lost in Your Work
This coffee shop has lots of spaces to sit and do homework including little booths tucked into the wall that help the rest of the world to melt away. It also has a long table perfect for groups working on a project or just enjoying the community aspect of the shop. They even have a small patio with outdoor seating that overlooks the street bustling with life and lined with fun shops and restaurants.
Provision: A Clean Aesthetic with a Motivating Vibe to Get Inspired
This coffee shop is buzzing with energy and has the most expansive view of any coffee shop I’ve visited. With windows making up the whole front of the building, you can see life happening in front of you as you type away behind the glass. It also has an upstairs where you can sit either in a study booth tucked away or right along the balcony and observe the coffee shop below you. It has a very clean feel and lots of plants and fresh colors that offer inspiration and an energetic vibe.
Songbird Café: A Great Outdoor Study Spot to Enjoy the City and the Arizona Sunshine
This coffee shop has a patio area with tables positioned within trees and greenery. It’s located in an old house that was turned into a coffee shop and has a very cozy and friendly atmosphere. On a nice warm day, sitting on the patio is the perfect way to enjoy the sun and fresh air while meeting those deadlines.
Press Coffee: Offers Great Coffee and a Calm Study Area
This coffee shop has a cool upstairs area to study and a more modern feel. It also has a nice patio for those who like to study outside on nice days.
These are the coffee shops I recommend if you are looking to get off campus but not venture too far while still getting that study atmosphere you’re looking for.
Worth the Drive: Coffee Shops 20- 30 Minutes Off Campus:
These are a little bit farther away, but so worth the drive! These will ensure that you get a unique experience at each place, as each one has something different to offer.
Laymoon: Fun and Cultural Spot with a Unique Atmosphere
This coffee shop is a great place to go if you like a livelier feel mixed with fun coffee. It has a Middle Eastern touch with Persian rugs draped across the ceiling and cozy booths nestled in the wall. It has plenty of seating and offers jewelry and trinkets to purchase, as well as beverages. I recommend this place for those late nights spent studying as well because it is open until midnight. Located in Tempe, Arizona, it has the college student feel with a unique touch of culture that other coffee shops don’t have.
The Welcome Garden: The Perfect Spot to Immerse Yourself in Nature
If you’re looking for more of an outdoor nature-inspired vibe, I recommend this spot. It is located within a plant nursery and offers full exposure to the outdoors. You can buy street tacos there as well as coffee and sit among the trees and flowers on couches or secluded tables and really immerse yourself in your work without any distractions. I recommend this place for people who love to sit outside and enjoy a comfy place to study that’s not right outside a coffee shop located in the city.
Aden Coffee House: A Space Where You Can Escape Arizona for a While
This is an intimate space with furniture inspired by places all around the world. This is a space to get inspired and try new things. Its coffee is as unique as the shop itself and offers coffee and pastries from different places in the world. If you want to escape Arizona for a bit, this is the place to go.
The Social Bean: Cozy Yet Modern Place to Really Focus
This coffee shop is a great place to get comfy but still get work done. It’s the perfect mix between cozy and modern and helps to clear your mind while allowing you to relax and finish that project that’s looming. This place is very welcoming and bright, offering many seating options and a great atmosphere to get work done.
Find Where You Study Best
When first trying out a new place to do homework off campus, I recommend looking at what the most important things are to you. Are you looking for a vibrant and lively place to get those creative juices flowing? Or are you more into a relaxed and moody place with big couches and less noise? Are you escaping the city, or going straight to its center? After you get an idea of what kind of atmosphere you work best in, finding good spots to study becomes an adventure and not a chore.
Find Your Next Best Study Spot… Off Campus
I encourage you to leave campus and explore the hidden gems that Arizona has to offer. Even if it is only ten minutes away, these coffee shops could be your new favorite place to lock in this semester!