Where Boston Students Go to Get Work Done: Cafes and Quiet Corners That Actually Help You Focus
- Gabrielle Alcindor
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
By Gabrielle Alcindor
Like many STEM students in Boston, my day rarely ends in the classroom. From postlabs to homework assignments, my to-do lists usually stay stacked. Finding an effective study area is crucial to getting assignments done sanely and on time. I already have my favorite Boston study spots, but I decided to venture out of my usual terrain. Here is the inside scoop on my experiences at three popular Boston study spots.
Pavement Coffeehouse is a true Boston staple. Though there are many locations across Boston, I visited the one on Commonwealth Ave. Once you walk in, you are greeted by warmth and the smell of coffee. As an avid matcha lover myself, I picked up my order and searched for a spot. In my experience, I have never seen Pavement without a bustling crowd of customers. The vast array of drinks and food options, coupled with the cozy feeling that is curated, makes Pavement a great option for studying. Pavement has various locations across Boston, including some near the Berklee College of Music and Harvard University. I look forward to visiting again, potentially at a different location to mix and mingle with students of other universities as well.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Capital One Café is a pristine, modern cafe that is located in Back Bay. It is known for various promotions, like “MLB Mondays,” where Capital One and Discover cardholders receive 50% off handcrafted drinks. This makes Monday the perfect day to grab a discounted drink while getting some work done. The space offers seating on two levels, with seats in open floor layouts or more tucked-away nooks. I enjoyed the modern, sleek appearance of the cafe. It did get very crowded as the afternoon progressed, so I would suggest getting there early to secure a good spot. There is great access to outlets and a wide variety of food and drink options to choose from as you work. Additionally, they do have private rooms that are available to reserve, but they are exclusively for cardholders. Capital One Café is a beautiful area that is accessible to all, and it is definitely worth checking out!
Overall Rating: 8/10
If you have ever wanted to work in Hogwarts, Bates Hall is the perfect place to visit. Commonly referred to as the “green lamp room” on TikTok and colloquially, Bates Hall is one of Boston’s most iconic sites. I visited on a Saturday afternoon and was immediately drawn to the warm ambiance. The dim lighting from the statement green lamps and high cathedral-style barrel vault ceilings made me feel like I was entering a museum-like exhibit. I prefer absolute silence when doing heavier assignments, so I did enjoy the ambiance of this room. However, after long periods of time, I did find that the heavy foot traffic of people coming in for pictures and shuffling around could cause distractions. Overall, I did really enjoy my time working here. The stunning architecture and academic atmosphere served as a silent motivator that helped me finish my assignments. This is the place for anyone looking for a quiet, free place to work, but definitely check it out on a weekday for a less disruptive experience.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Comments