Cozy and caffeinated: 5 places to study off-campus
As Augustana enters its fourth full week of classes, most students have found their spot on campus to study for exams and write papers. But after awhile, doing homework in the same place can get old. Here are five off-campus study spots within a 10 minute drive of campus that serve coffee (a study essential) and welcome students to use their locations.
The Cafe at Barnes and Noble (3700 W. 41st St.)
Located at the back of Barnes and Noble, the cafe is comprised of the cashier counter and an arc of small tables. The tables are the perfect size for studying solo, but too small for group work. Rows of bookcases surround the cafe, making the space feel like the Mikkelsen Library. Unlike the library, the cafe offers Starbucks coffee and cake pops. The hum of baristas making coffee and people chatting provide background noise for a late-night study session.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Full Circle Book Co-op (123 W. 10th St.)
Tucked away from the main drag of downtown Sioux Falls, this bookstore combines comfy pillows, eclectic decorations and sprawling bookcases to make it the coziest study spot on the list. A bar at the back of the store serves snacks and drinks (including beer—whether or not that helps with studying depends on the person). The store has a range of study spots, from big tables for groups to a cushioned reading bench by the window for students to spend an evening with a book or a paper.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 4 p.m.-12 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Coffea Roasterie and Espresso Bar (200 S. Phillips Ave.)
Coffea is the perfect study spot for students that want to do their homework and take a cute picture for their Snapchat or Instagram story. The coffee shop offers a modern aesthetic, freshly baked goods and tables with outlets for charging laptops. Outdoor tables provide a space to study while enjoying downtown Sioux Falls during the day. Their menu includes seasonal items and currently features locally-sourced apple cider and a Charlie Brown latte. Junior Morgan Closman studies at Coffea because it helps her focus.
“Sometimes getting away from campus and being in a different environment helps me study better,” Closman said.
Hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Josiah’s Coffeehouse and Cafe (104 W. 12th St.)
Josiah’s has large booths and tables, making it the best spot on the list for group work. Whether studying with a friend or putting together a group project, Josiah’s offers the space to spread out and the atmosphere to discuss with others. The cafe is usually loud and busy, so tables and a quiet area can be hard to find. But a back room called “Phillip’s Gathering Place” provides a quieter, emptier area. Their menu offers the most variety, as they have everything from breakfast platters to flatbread pizzas to danish pastries. Josiah’s is a great place to grab an afternoon snack and study with a friend.
Hours: Every day 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Queen City Bakery (324 E. Eighth St.)
Removed from the hub of downtown Sioux Falls, Queen City Bakery provides a quiet space for focused studying. Their menu offers coffee, quiche and baked goods featuring daily specials and seasonal pies. The bakery has smaller tables for those wishing to do homework alone, large tables for those working in groups and patio tables for those who want to be outside. A window into the kitchen displays the bakers at work and provides the perfect distraction from homework. The bakery is a great place to get coffee and breakfast while reviewing for a test. Junior Aliyah Abdulrahman comes to Queen City Bakery for the food and the atmosphere.
“I go there when I want to get off campus but still want somewhere quiet to study,” Abdulrahman said. “And for the chai and coffee cake.”
Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed on Tuesday
