It's that time of year again.
Finals have reared their ugly heads. You are no longer a human as much as you are a zombie who feeds on study guides and formula sheets. Half of your struggle comes from the energy burned circling the library or the Marshall Student Center looking desperately for a table—when you get desperate enough, any flat surface will do—for you to bang your head on repeatedly in frustration.
I mean, for you to study on. Obviously.
This is the semester all of that ends. For the young and inexperienced freshmen who just don't know better, or the lazy seniors who have been too lazy to seek this out themselves, this guide of the top five off-campus study spots near USF is for you.
1. Naga Tea—56th Street and Fowler
This relaxing tea lounge not only offers some of the best boba drinks in the area, but the soothing acoustic playlist and simple design aesthetic make you feel like you're living in one of those movies that makes college look like a breeze. You might be dying on the inside, but at least your surroundings look great while you're doing it. Free WiFi is only a click away, and there are large tables available for you to spread out all of the information you neglected to study all semester. If you want to take a quick break, they have an extensive self of card games and Jenga to choose from.
2. Panera Bread—Bruce B Downs and USF Pine
Chances are, you've already been in this building on a hunt to satisfy a broccoli and cheddar soup or mac ‘n’ cheese craving, but Panera actually makes for a great study spot. Free WiFi and a—relatively—calm environment make for a much better alternative to the packed library. Just grab a spot in the corner and try not to stare at the pastry case too hard, unless you want to be a broke college student who just went a little more broke. The temptation is real.
3. Lettuce Lake Park—Fletcher
I know what you're thinking. A park? The outdoors? No WiFi?! And yes, technically, all of those things are true about Lettuce Lake, but hear me out. If your studying requires no Internet connection, this is a great place to go. Aside from a few squirrels and maybe a pesky gator or two, you're not going to have much company here. It's the perfect place to isolate yourself both physically and digitally so you can finally finish that monster philosophy paper you've been putting off; plus, the sound of the birds in the trees is totally inspiring. Just remember to bring your student ID, $2 for the entrance fee, and a fully charged laptop battery, because, well, nature.
4. Felicitous Coffee and Tea House—Fowler and 51 Street
If you've been in the USF area for at least a semester, I’m positive that you've heard of Felicitous. It's a popular place for students go hang out, meet up with friends, and—during finals week—contemplate how low you can score on a test while still passing a class. This is the place to go if you need caffeine; their coffee with free refills can keep you going through the worst of it, and their WiFi never fails.
5. Kaleisia Tea Lounge—Fletcher and 15 Street
Sometimes, you've just got to get stuff done, and Kaleisia is the place to do it. Being one of the largest tea lounges in the area means that there's plenty of room to spread out, settle in, and wish for the sweet escape of death while you review for your chemistry final. You can choose to study outside, inside, or in a separate quiet area so the rest of society can't see you ugly-crying into your notes, and a wide range of tea and food options keep you sustained for the long haul. Oh, and protip: the WiFi password is their phone number. You're welcome.
