If you're anything like me, you probably get a little tired of the same ol' study spots. Living on campus carries many benefits, but every once in a while, I'm really itching for a change of scenery. My good study habits increase dramatically when I take a step back from the busyness (and distractions!) of campus life and write my papers elsewhere. Fortunately for Patrick Henry College students, there are ample spaces near the school that provide the perfect study space—and quite a few of them involve coffee.
- Bean Bar. Comfortable leather chairs, private booths, and a long community table, Bean Bar's environment infuses industrial and rustic elements. It's open to 8 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends, so you can head there after dinner and expect to get a lot done.
- Wegmans. Okay, you probably didn't expect a grocery store to make it on the list, but it's a well-kept secret that this place is a great study spot. There's an entire upstairs loft area chock-full of tables and couches and free Wi-Fi. You can buy a small snack from Wegmans' delish bakery section and settle in. It's open till 12 am! (It's in the same shopping center as Bean Bar, so it isn't too far from the school.)
- Beans in the Belfry. This is a personal favorite. Although it's technically located in Maryland, Beans in the Belfry is a short drive from PHC and well worth your time. The shop is located in a century old restored church building in the eclectic town of Brunswick. Lots of comfy pillows and a wide variety of drinks and food equal a quality place to get work done. The ambiance will make you want to stay!
- King Street. The coffee here is pretty much unbeatable, so you'll be downing loads of it (guaranteed to keep you awake for study time!) and although the shop is small, you can usually find the perfect single spot. Super friendly customer service tops off this cute joint right in historic downtown Leesburg.
- Trinity House Cafe. A Christian non-profit, Trinity House is open for a good portion of the day and is a really comfortable place to study. It's got multiple rooms, in which are a mix of chairs, couches, and tables, so you're sure to be satisfied.
- Purcellville Library. So far this is the first place I've listed that doesn't offer food or coffee, but it's still a good option! It's minutes from the school and you could even walk there (in good weather). During the week, it's open until 9 pm, which is a good option for those who don't want to spend money on expensive lattes.
- Market Street. This small coffee shop just minutes from PHC is kind of like a detached part of campus. Pretty much every evening you will find several students there for the exact same reason as you - for a fresh breath of air. If you like the community of PHC combined with a change in scenery, then Market Street is the place for you.
- Blend Coffee Bar. This one is a bit farther from school, but if you're planning burrowing in for a time of paper-writing then this is a good choice. The large patio is a good option for the warmer months and the pleasant interior space is great for the rest of the year.
- The Library of Congress. This one is definitely a little bit of a reach since it's way in downtown D.C., but students have been known to make Saturday studying a lot more fun by trekking into the city. If you need study motivation in your Freedom's Foundations class, then what better place to read the country's founding documents then in the epicenter of liberty?
I hope you've benefited from these ideas and will consider trying out a new study spot the next time you're assigned a twenty-page paper. Do you have any favorite study spots you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments!
Best of luck, fellow students!
