By Emma Bracken

For many of us, we have one thought when we wake up in the morning: coffee. Whether you sleepwalk into your kitchen to brew one yourself or run and grab a cup on your way to class, our morning coffee is non-negotiable. 

Our love for coffee can extend beyond that necessary burst of energy in the morning, however. Coffee, and the intimate and inviting spaces we dedicate to it, are pillars of success and socialization for college students. It seems that cafes are always bustling with busy students, with empty coffee cups spread out over stacks of books and laptops. Something about the cozy atmosphere of a cafe allows for productivity and calm during semester stress and chaos.

According to University of Arkansas student Elizabeth Gunderman, getting yourself in the right headspace is essential to a good study session. For her, an iced caramel latte and a seat at Word Coffee is the first step to nailing her to-do list.

“I’m way more likely to complete my work when I’m in a coffee shop listening to good music than if I’m sitting in silence in my room,” Gunderman said.

There is a sense of accountability in a space that welcomes and encourages productivity; watching as people all around us type away on their laptops gives us no choice but to do the same. When we put on our headphones, we commit to what we want to listen to because we are aware that scrolling on our phones does not look like studying. There is also a comfort in knowing that we are all dealing with stress, deadlines and exams, yet we have all taken the step to sit down and face our responsibilities. Somehow, when shared with your community, these stressors feel less daunting. 

Student Taylor Wilkerson said that when thinking of coffee, homework is immediately brought to her mind; just the flavor of coffee instills in her some feeling of productivity. Wilkerson explained coffee shops can be spaces for both studying and socializing. Whether she wants to grab a meal with a friend at Arsaga’s or study alone with a pile of books until the sun goes down at Puritan, ordering her favorite matcha is the start of a good day. There is a versatility to the culture of coffee shops that is particularly beneficial to college students; they are, in a way, the backbone of the academic lifestyle we are aiming for. 

“I think cafes are such unique community spaces because you can get whatever you need from them,” Gunderman said. “Some people go to cafes, put their headphones in and work alone. Some people use cafes as meeting spots for projects, while others go just to enjoy a good coffee or meet new people. All of these are acceptable and encouraged behaviors at cafes, and I think it’s rare to find places where that is true.”

Not only is productivity encouraged at coffee shops, but the atmosphere seems to generate a certain aesthetic that makes studying and working more appealing to students. There is something more romantic and exciting about the visual of a student in a cafe on a rainy day, reading or making flashcards to get a perfect grade on an upcoming test. Compared to sitting on your bed at home in the dark as you cram the night before the exam, it certainly makes sense why students prioritize their coffee time. 

Wilkerson described the aesthetics of studying at a coffee shop as a motivator to get her work done. “ Little me would be so proud to see me with a latte and a highlighter reading Shakespeare,” she said.

Coffee is not just a tool for academic success. It is perhaps the most classic idea for meeting with friends, a date or a work colleague. Cafes are a social safe space where you can sit comfortably and talk to your heart’s content over a nice drink without the time structure and pressure of a typical restaurant. Many coffee shops swap out metal seats for couches and harsh fluorescents for warm lamps. Whether you are meeting someone for the first time or catching up with your oldest friend, a cafe makes you feel as if you both belong there.

“When I think of coffee, I think of hanging out with my friends,” said Callie Kent, a sophomore UA student. “Coffee is something we use to hang out, and I cherish our little coffee dates.”

Kent describes cafes as the perfect community space where she can run into old friends or meet new ones. The picturesque environment makes her feel empowered to be present and make the most of her day, she said. Sitting by the window at Summer Moon with an iced Autumn Moon is where she finds comfort and a spark for success. 

College students are often seeking community and a place where focus and academic work are encouraged and prioritized. We may feel like the second we step foot off of campus our college life fades into the background, and it’s hard to find motivation outside of the academic setting. However, it seems that the perfect solution is waiting around just about any corner in town. Coffee shops and cafes are everywhere in Fayetteville, each with a unique menu and aesthetic to offer. While some are more boisterous and lively for conversation, others are cozy and quiet for reading your textbook. 

As you build your schedule for the semester, do not forget to pencil in some time at a local cafe, even if coffee is not your thing. They certainly have something to offer, whether a connection with your peers, a perfect study environment or maybe some tea instead.