Coffee shops are among the top places for studying and for good reasoning. Now, I know the most common places for UMass students to study include the library and the dorms, but sometimes those places might not be the best to focus. For example, in the dorms, you can get distracted by your friends coming in and out, and your bed can be very tempting to just lie down and take a break. If you spend all of your study time at home or in the library, it might be a gloomy and uninspiring experience. So why not take a trip to your local coffee shop, a place where you can do some productive work and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or tea? Here are some benefits of working in a cafe.
1. The Cafe Ambiance
You can stay concentrated and stay away from distractions by studying at a cafe. The background bustle and ambient sounds will help you focus on your task without being too loud or distracting. A study administered at the University of Illinois found that “medium level of background noise showed the highest performance on creative tasks when compared to different noise levels.” Coffee shops provide just the right 70 dB of ambient noise with their indie-pop music and milk steaming to help “enhance performance on creative tasks and increases the buying likelihood of innovative products.” A change of scenery might also help you stay awake and allow you to break out of your typical study habits.
2. The Interior Can Help Reduce Stress
Even though studying can be difficult, being in a calm and comfortable setting might assist to lessen that tension. Cafes frequently include warm seating, gentle lighting, and an inviting atmosphere. You may feel more at peace and be able to concentrate better as a result. And I don’t know about you, but the smell of a coffee shop just makes me feel relaxed.
3. Boosted With Creativity Juices
Cafes frequently have interesting people, art pieces, and music. Being surrounded by creativity can inspire you to develop fresh concepts and methods for your academic work. Furthermore, the diversity of people and situations can enable you to view things from a different perspective.
4. Improving your Time Management
You can manage your time more efficiently by studying in a cafe. You’re less likely to get diverted by social media or other distractions when you have a strict time restriction and a defined goal to achieve. Additionally, being in a public setting can aid in your ability to maintain accountability and concentration.
Studying in a cafe can be a fantastic way to boost your concentration, creativity, and social connection. I have gone to study in a coffee shop many times and can positively say I am more concentrated and absorbed my knowledge better. So the next time you need to study, take a trip to Amherst Coffee or The Works Cafe, or even go to a cafe in Northampton with your books and see what it can do for your study habit.
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