Sometimes getting away from campus can feel like a breath of fresh air, even if it is to study or focus on school-related tasks. Colorado Mesa University offers a plethora of great places to be productive; however, being in the same place can often result in the opposite. There are a few off-campus locations to study that I prefer over others, but to me, it is important to change up the locations because I bore easily. If you’re like me, new and upbeat places tend to inspire me, consequently resulting in more productivity.

Reminder: Although many of the places that are mentioned in the article below are wonderful places to be productive, it is vital to bring a few of your own supplies.

• Headphones: All public places have the potential to be extremely loud, causing you to be unproductive.
• A computer charger: I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled my computer out to begin a project and my essential tool is dead and the life-giving charger is at home on my kitchen counter.
• A will to turn your phone on sleep or airplane mode: There is nothing more distracting than the constant buzz of a phone. Every time mine buzzes I pick it up and spend ten plus minutes scrolling through apps or checking my emails. It is so difficult to maintain focus with a constant distraction.

Main Street Bagels

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Not only does this place serve great food and drinks, the atmosphere is perfect for productivity. There are lots of large tables so you can spread out and unpack for as much time is needed. The back rooms are the best place to study because they are away from the counter and flow of traffic. There are all sorts of people that spend time at this bagel shop, ranging from all ages. And one of the best aspects is the fast and secure wifi.

Starbucks on Highway 6&50

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Although Starbucks always gets a bad rap, this is the best one in town. It is big, with lots of furniture, so finding a comfortable space is never a problem. I go here when I have a lot to accomplish because you can just plug in and let the hours go by. The scenery here is always changing and surprisingly the flow of traffic adds to the ambiance rather than being a distraction.

Trader’s Coffee

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This small coffee shop is located right across the street from St. Mary’s Hospital and conveniently close to campus. They offer a variety of popular coffees and teas, which are fairly inexpensive. Although the tables are rather small, they are not few in number. During finals week last semester, Traders was the only place I was able to find a table to study during the busy hours of the day. The staff is friendly and never give grief about the amount of time you stay.

Barnes and Noble Bookstore

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It seems that many students forget about this great, quiet place to get studying done. There is a small Starbucks in the front of the store, that offers a number of tables and chairs. It is rarely busy during the day and typically never loud. My favorite aspect is the breaks I take at Barnes and Noble. Whenever I need to step away from the computer screen, I go book shopping for a bit.