Coffeehouses for studying (test, mathematics, class, analysis)

[willem5]

I went to school in Austin where there are lots of cool and funky coffeehouses and cafes, many of which are converted homes. This is the place I used to go to when I was in college; I lived right across the street.

That place looks fun! It looks like one the places the American Pickers guys go to, except that it was turned into a coffehouse.

[ambient]

Originally Posted by willem5

Did/does anyone else spend a lot of time in coffeehouses doing work such as writing papers and reading? I did in college and I found it to be more productive for me than writing papers and researching at home.

An article in The Atlantic says,


Working Best at Coffee Shops - Conor Friedersdorf - Business - The Atlantic

I loved it. I spend many, many months at coffee shops during both my undergrad and grad studies...I wrote whole books worth of material in coffee shops. In undergrad, I used to drive about 45 minutes away to the big college town that had two great and really hip coffee spots - some really great little memories wrapped up in those experiences. It also doesn't hurt that I'm a steady moderate coffee drinker. I always made sure to pay for my multi-hour stay.

Much more than the coffee, though, was the environment. I found that I did better in an environment that was a bit livelier. I could tune out the sounds quite well, and I enjoyed the general background noise. I'd usually bring in my own music anyways. If left on my own in a silent room with the internet, it was a much more burdensome experience - and a lot easier for me to find reasons to get distracted.

Originally Posted by ambient

Much more than the coffee, though, was the environment. I found that I did better in an environment that was a bit livelier. I could tune out the sounds quite well, and I enjoyed the general background noise. I'd usually bring in my own music anyways. If left on my own in a silent room with the internet, it was a much more burdensome experience - and a lot easier for me to find reasons to get distracted.

Thats exactly how I feel too!

In NYC I have 10 different great coffeehouses to go to and in Seattle I have about 15. In New Paltz I had 2 of them but they were both great. (these are the three places I have lived in.)

How many great coffeehouses do you know of in San Francisco where you live now?

[willem5]

In undergrad, I used to drive about 45 minutes away to the big college town that had two great and really hip coffee spots - some really great little memories wrapped up in those experiences.

I'll have to visit some of the places I frequented in the past when I'm in those areas again. It would be interesting to see how they've changed. I could use a short trip anyway.

[shiphead]

Originally Posted by Marissy

NO. At least for me. Having people walking around and smelling all those yummy coffee smells would distract me. I would be busy drinking my coffee/tea or eating my dessert. I get distracted very easily. Even studying in the library is distracting because I would want to read books instead of studying.

I am glad that studying in coffeehouses help you though.

same here lady. I can stay at school and study or go home into my room. Nothing pisses me off more then some ass yapping away while im trying to read.

[Unruly Sky]

Originally Posted by willem5

Did/does anyone else spend a lot of time in coffeehouses doing work such as writing papers and reading? I did in college and I found it to be more productive for me than writing papers and researching at home.

An article in The Atlantic says,


Working Best at Coffee Shops - Conor Friedersdorf - Business - The Atlantic

i only get distracted if people are with me (i.e. friends). i find myself wanting to spend time catching up with friends rather than study.

so the only way i can study is when i'm there for a reason and if it's strictly for school.. pretty much classmates.

[Jesse69]

I would not waste my time in a coffee shop and coffee is cheaper if you make your own. There were no coffee shops or laptops or wifi back when I was studying college 1987 to 1992. I did most of my productive studying at my Apt.

And nowadays I wouldn't waste money on overpriced coffee at coffee shops.

[phylogeny]

I love studying at coffeeshops! At home, I feel demotivated and easily distracted. For some reason, being at a public place makes me less willing to get up and watch TV or goof off. Also, it gets me out of the house. When I was studying a lot, I felt it lifted my mood to go out to study every day. It offered me some structure to my day, and a change of scenery. Plus, how can anyone not love the sweet, sweet aroma of coffee?

There isn't much of a difference in price between coffee at a coffee shop and coffee that you make on your own. The coffee at a coffee shop usually tastes much better. It can also seem more fun for someone to get coffee at a coffee shop instead of making it in their home. It is great to go to a coffee shop with a great ambiance, that is a great place for the neighborhood it is in, and can feel like a home away from home.

If you find coffee at a coffee shop "expensive and overpriced" then it seems like you find everything in life that someone buys to be "expensive and overpriced."

Originally Posted by Jesse69

I would not waste my time in a coffee shop and coffee is cheaper if you make your own. There were no coffee shops or laptops or wifi back when I was studying college 1987 to 1992. I did most of my productive studying at my Apt.

And nowadays I wouldn't waste money on overpriced coffee at coffee shops.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

I would not waste my time in a coffee shop and coffee is cheaper if you make your own. There were no coffee shops or laptops or wifi back when I was studying college 1987 to 1992. I did most of my productive studying at my Apt.

When I was an undergrad in college from 1983 to 1987, I had an IBM PC Convertible that I used to schlep to a couple of on-campus "coffee houses" and crank out term papers with using WordStar and MS Word 1.0.