The Best Study Spots

Guest Blogger: Sarah Swig

It's finals time at Tulane, which for many students means hours upon hours stuck in the library. Lots of reading, studying, calculating, and writing. This can be tiring and often boring, and I find that the library is often too stressful for me. All I see around me are people studying, so it helps me to study off campus during finals. I like to be surrounded by other people who aren't students because it gives me some perspective that there is life outside of my exams and school, and these people are often happier than those in the library. I also have an easier time focusing when there is a little background noise and when I am surrounded by my friends. I feel much more relaxed when I'm able to work off campus, and it's fun to be able to take mini breaks with my friends to chat over coffee. Plus, most coffee shops nearby have good sandwiches and salads, which allows me to stay in one place for a longer period of time. Studying off campus is a great way to become more immersed in New Orleans and meet other locals. I've compiled a list of my favorite study places off campus - they all have great coffee drinks and free wifi.

bagel and coffee!

Cafe Luna is my go-to. The manager is so nice, and they have the BEST iced drinks. They specially brew their iced coffee, give good discounts on refills, and have fresh baked goods every day. There is a room in the back that is perfect for studying: it is a little quieter from the main room, and the artwork on the walls changes nearly every time I go. The patio out front is BEAUTIFUL and it is a great place to study and chat when the weather is nice. It's less than two miles from campus - and is conveniently located right next to Whole Foods!

Cafe Luna 

my favorite little mug!

I also love to study at Zots Cafe. This place is much more hip and eclectic than Cafe Luna, and is very different from your normal coffee shop. Zots has three rooms - the front room has tables, couches, and chess boards, and the back two rooms are more suited for studying. There is a funky collection of furniture, and no single chair or table is the same. There are tons of books for coffee drinkers to read as they hang out at Zots, other fun games for people to play, and lots of quirky artwork and decoration on the walls. It's probably not a place I'd bring my mom to grab coffee, but I love studying here. Their cups are fun, vibes are good, and it's great place for people watching. It's on Oak Street which is really close to campus - easily walkable. 

The Inside of Zots.

Manhattan Jack is a perfect place for those of you who love sweets! It is a bakery with soooooo many good desserts (I actually got my birthday cake from there!). They also have huge sandwiches that are yummy, and I love their lattes. It's very spacious and they play really good music (lots of Bon Iver). Manhattan Jack is a little further from campus (about two miles) - but it's right next to the Prytania Theatre, which is a single-screen movie theatre that plays both current and old movies on a rotating basis!

see how good those sweets look?

Finally, Village Coffee is a place my friends and I frequent. It is a much more traditional coffee shop. There's a big downstairs and an upstairs room that is nearly silent, which is perfect for when I really need to get something done.









There are tons of other coffee shops and restaurants which are great study spots around campus, but these are some of my favorites. I have spent the majority of my days at these places for the past week, and am so happy to be done with my exams!! Happy studying to those of you who aren't yet done yet, good luck!! At least you have it better than these snowmen.

Follow me @Tulane_Sarah for more scoop on student life.