The final stretch of the semester is here. It has only just arrived, of course. But with its baggage of papers, exams, presentations, etc. it is already giving me grief --that I-want-to-scream-into-my-pillow-now sort of feeling -- on the daily.

At least for me, Wesleyan's campus only makes matters worse in straits like these.

Wesleyan is great. Don't get me wrong. For most of the year, its constant stream of activity, campus is exciting, like a city in the middle of a small, small Connecticut suburb. However, when academic stress gets to your head, this bustling atmosphere is oftentimes the last thing you need.

Thankfully, the heart of Middletown is only a short walk away. When strain hits, you can escape to Main Street, and get some quality studying under your belt in the small, small suburb that you crave.

For those Wes kids who need a retreat, I have listed some of my favorite off-campus study spots below. Each, in their own way, are well suited for the work grind and, if you desire, some quality brain food as well.

Sweet Harmony Café and Bakery

Location: 330 Main Street

When on-campus stress gets just a little bit too real for my taste, I seek out Sweet Harmony Café and Bakery for a calming change of scenery and a dose of relief. This is because Sweet Harmony is exactly what one would expect a place called Sweet Harmony to be: comforting, ridiculously cute, and, above all, good for the soul, like my Nana and her famous chicken paprikash.

Upon entering Sweet Harmony (or Sweet Harms as my friends and I affectionately say), a warm color palette evokes overall soulfulness and grandma-like warmth. Yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, and other such cheery hues figure prominently in the mural adorning the dining space and show up pretty much everywhere else throughout the eatery’s decor in order to welcome you into a stress-free happy place of pastries, coffee, and soft jazz.

The people working the Sweet Harms counter only contribute to this hypnotically calming atmosphere, and when I say “people,” I am mainly referring to the café’s owner. Essentially putting the “sweet” in Sweet Harmony, the café’s hostess is as infectiously content as that ambient soft jazz and giddily calls customers “sweetie” or “baby” in her charming southern twang.

The whole Sweet Harms experience is, of course, rounded out by the food because, after all, grandma-like warmth is nothing without a satisfied tummy. My go-to order usually consists of a specialty latte (flavored with syrups and sauces that are made in-house) and a freshly baked muffin, items that both come in an impressive number of varieties. Really can’t go wrong with any selection because everything on the menu – namely the omelets (which, if ordered correctly, come with the godliest of whole wheat toasts), cookies, salads, and sandwiches—is on point.

Klekolo World Coffee

Location: 181 Court Street

Klekolo World Coffee is up there with Sweet Harmony as one of my favorite off-campus work locations. Of course, I first fell in love with the local café for its coffee and espresso, which, in my opinion, are the best and boldest Middletown has to offer and serve as a welcome change from the duller, get-the-job-done brews they sell on campus.

After many visits, however, I have grown to appreciate Klekolo not only for its product, but also for its lovably wacky vibe. As previously mentioned, Sweet Harmony is wonderful for its predictably calm and comforting atmosphere, but Klekolo wins over my heart by way of its lack of predictability.

Klekolo’s demographic is arguably more diverse than Sweet Harmony’s. In addition to attracting a regular deluge of families, commuters, and Wes students, the café also appeals to a healthy mix of bikers, elderly couples, cat ladies, cat gentlemen (because women are not the only people who find solace in felines), and other miscellaneous free spirits.

The café’s sound system is similarly untamed, playing an array of ambient music genres ranging from R&B, EDM, Indie Rock, classical, and, in one unfortunate instance, screamo. I’ve always guessed that this is the result of a kind of oligarchy-type situation in which the playlist is controlled by whoever happens to be on barista duty, but whatever its cause the musical irregularity complements the joint’s eclectic vibes and and keeps you on your toes.

Klekolo’s zaniness may not seem all that conducive to serious studying, and it’s true that Klekolo, as a study venue, is not for the faint of heart. In order to be productive in the one-of-a-kind café, you must (a) regard espresso as your lifeblood, and (b) be equipped to use distraction as fuel and inspiration. If you fit this criteria, I would highly recommend implementing Klekolo as your go-to off-campus workspace.

Brew Bakers

Location: 169 Main Street

There are a few reasons why Wes students deem Brew Bakers as a worthy work space. Some are drawn to the eatery’s interior, which is bright, spacious, and an overall welcome change from the more traditional library settings on campus. Others, who tend to function better when surrounded by activity, benefit from its steady flow of customer traffic. I, however, choose to get my study on at Brew because of their muffins.

Before working, it is crucial for me to get into the proper state of mind, but sometimes reaching said state of mind can be a hardship. During these times, eating a muffin is sometimes all I need to get where I need to be. This mode of action really only helps, however, if that muffin is exceptional, and Brew Bakers muffins, incidentally, fit that bill with perfection.

Though the Brew Bakers menu features a wide variety of tempting drinks as well as lunch and breakfast fare, their muffins are the only things that I would really write home about, which is saying a lot because I sincerely would write a whole letter based on an eating experience. So, needless to say they have gotten me through some pretty rough study patches.

During bouts of writer’s block, the Brew coffee cake muffin has often provided me with cinnamon-y inspiration. If stuck in an information absorption jam, the sweet and citrusy lemon poppy has been similarly reliable, hitting me instantly with the zing I needed. Considering the many instances in which these goodies have saved the day, I have honestly come to believe that they possess medicinal properties.

As I’ve mentioned, Brew Bakers is a viable off-campus study location for many reasons, but take my word for it one can only reap full benefit of the venue with one Brew muffin, any Brew muffin-- toasted and buttered to perfection – in hand.

Brew Bakers Café

Location: 506 Main Street

The essence of Brew Bakers Café, or Brew Bakers 2.0 as I like to call it, is best described in terms of familial relationships. If Brew Bakers (1.0) is the mother, Brew Bakers 2.0 is the daughter, who denies with all her might that she is nothing like her mother but ultimately cannot escape their inherent similarities, though valiant her effort is.

Located on the opposite side of Main Street, Brew 2.0 definitely has unique qualities that make it a nice alternative to Brew 1.0 and the other Middletown cafes. The second Brew Bakers is smaller, quieter, and features a more book nook kind of quality that altogether makes it more suitable than the first to work that requires a greater level of concentration.

On my first visit, I also bonded with one of the baristas (the potential for pleasant customer-server interactions is also a pro of 2.0) over the fact that the Brew 2.0 playlist of Motown hits is far superior to the music featured in the mother café (which like the non-muffin food is nothing to write home about).

These differences aside, Brew 2.0 is still undeniably close kin to the original Brew Bakers. So, if you are tired of campus and need to buckle down to get some reading done, stop by Brew Bakers Café for a muffin and maybe a coffee (the iced Silly Mellili latte is quite yummy) and let it work its magic.