Study spots in Bellingham

A reporter discusses her favorite study spots.  Ellen Anderson With dead week coming up, there’s no doubt students will start seeking out study spots. Studying at home can be a struggle when Netflix and your bed are calling your name, and almost every campus room will start to fill up with students trying to study. So having a coffee shop or cafe that you like to go to can help you look forward to studying. Junior Taylor Fenske, a Kinesiology major, studies a lot at home. She says that making study guides and writing everything down helps her study along with one other thing. “Uh wine,” she joked. She says she studies better off of campus but she doesn’t do it often. Fenske is able to focus at coffee shops as long as there isn’t a lot of distraction. She said she likes background noise.and that a change of scenery helps her study. Getting out of her apartment is the key to better studying. “I feel like I study better with people because I’m more accountable,” Fenske said. “But sometimes I study better when I’m alone because I focus better.” Always be sure to buy something if you intend to study in any of these places, and tip if you can. Studying involves hogging a table for a long period of time and using the cafe’s wifi. Keep in mind that these are businesses. It’s so easy to stay on or near campus while attending Western. But you may only be in Bellingham for a few short years, so get out and experience the wonderful city you are living in. Here are a few suggestions to get out of your room and find your perfect study space: Book Fare Cafe: On the third floor of Village Books in Fairhaven is this hidden gem. The cafe is wrapped with windows that overlooks the water. There are booths, tables and comfy wingback chairs to plant yourself in while you study. The menu is simple but affordable and includes food options as well. In the mornings and evenings, the cafe is quiet and peaceful. It can fill up quickly during lunch hours, so plan accordingly. You will find many students studying here, as well as other people in the community working on their computers or reading books. Every seat has a perfect view of the water, so you can’t go wrong at the Book Fare Cafe.

Location: 1200 11th St.

Hours: Sundays 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

             Mondays - Thursdays 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Camber Coffee: Camber is always filled with people working. Being surrounded by productive people can be motivation to get stuff done. Camber’s atmosphere is polished and has both a restaurant feel and countertop seating for those who want to work. They are open late, which is nice if you are more of a night owl. Be sure to check out their happy hour deals if you are studying there at night, as well as their beer and wine list. Camber is always busy, so if you need a quiet space to study, this might not be the place for you.

Location: 221 W Holly St.

Hours: Mondays - Thursdays 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fridays 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturdays 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sundays 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tony’s Coffee House: Tony’s is in an old Fairhaven building with creaky wood floors with a fireplace. It’s usually empty and quiet on the weekdays, but it gets busy on the weekends. This coffee shop has a refreshing mix of students studying, families gathering and community members reading. Make sure to charge your electronics before coming here, because there are only a few outlets. My favorite seat is the one by the window with your back to the fireplace. You can people watch and keep warm while working. If coffee isn’t your thing, try their chai tea latte. It is dusted in cinnamon and is super delicious.

Location: 1101 Harris Ave.

Hours: Every Day 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Woods Coffee on Bayview: The classic cozy cabin feel of Woods Coffee is taken to another level. It feels like you’re in an actual cabin that sits right on the water in Boulevard Park. There are large windows that let in natural light and allow you to look out across the bay. The best time to study here is in the mornings. It is quiet and somewhat empty so you can get your pick of a place to sit. It gets busy on the weekends so I recommend going during the week. The best part about studying here is that you can take a break and go for a walk on the boardwalk. Getting fresh air helps clear your head after hours of studying. Senior Jaclyn Barhoum likes to go to Woods Coffee in Boulevard Park to study when she isn’t studying on campus. “On a rainy day it’s not as packed,” she said. “I like to go there with a friend and listen to music and look at the view while I study.” The business/marketing major likes studying with other people, but she needs it to be quiet. So studying at her apartment is only an option if her downstairs neighbors aren’t blasting their music. “I also always have to have study snacks on me,” Barhoum said. “I always have hummus on me.”

Location: 470 Bayview Dr.

Hours: Every day 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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