Through the thin dorm walls, conversations and chattering from televisions echo. A roommate snacks loudly while the video game is blaring and all sense of focus on schoolwork is lost. Although the dorm rooms at the University of West Florida are beneficial to living so close to classes, it is common to leave the chaos of the dorms to find a convenient place to study. 

Depending on preference, there are many places to study on or near campus. The following list is made up of a collection of coffee shops, bookstores, and places to study outdoors: 

No. 1 Jitterbug 

Jitterbug is the spot most mentioned when discussing local coffee shops in Pensacola. With its vintage feel, including both a classic coffee shop area and a record store, this café is the perfect spot to get creative with schoolwork. 

This spot is the furthest from campus out of the options on this list. However, it is only an estimated 15-minute drive from campus during midday traffic. 

Jitterbug has free WiFi for everyone including the many students from schools around Pensacola. In addition to a wide selection of coffee, it also serves various gluten-free recipes. 

This café is the perfect spot for students who prefer a comfortable environment with slight background noise. Many people go for meetings or other gatherings which result in conversation. However, with a nice pair of headphones, it becomes the perfect place to study. 

No. 2. The Great Good Place

The Great Good Place is a great place for UWF students to study. The location is optimal for students who live on campus and do not have a way of transportation. 

The Great Good Place is located on the second floor of the John C. Pace Library and is its own room designated for collaboration and solo studying. This communal space is perfect for a group project or a study session with other classmates. 

If a student wants a coffee in hand while working hard, This spot is in a convenient location with Starbucks being on the floor below.  

UWF’s website describes the purpose of this helpful center for students. 

“The Great Good Place on the second floor of the Pace Library is a discussion area capturing a sense of community for peer and faculty/student dialogue,” the UWF website reads. 

No. 3 Bon Beans 

Bon Beans is a local hotspot for students due to its proximity to campus and the cozy atmosphere. The coffee shop is located on Nine Mile Road and is only a five-minute drive from campus. This makes it the perfect quick stop to grab a coffee before heading to a morning class. 

Bon Beans has a reputation for being a center of productivity for students and those with creative minds. The shop displays the book “The Midnight Ruby” by Zachary Anderson for customers to read and admire.

Anderson is a local author who wrote this book largely at the bar of Bon Beans. The coffee shop also carries other books created by local authors and classic novels to peruse. 

Bons Beans is typically quieter than the previously listed locations. This quiet location allows students to maintain a higher level of focus to complete assignments. 

Bon Beans states that they have a reputation as the best coffee shop in Pensacola. A jolt of espresso from a top coffee shop adds to a prime study experience. This location also provides WiFi for all to connect to and work from. 

No. 4 Connection Deck

The Connection Deck is an outdoor site on campus that is located between buildings 18 and 21. It was created to be a safe space for students to make connections. 

The Connection Deck includes benches and tables for students to si connect with other students or work individually. 

Due to its on-campus location, the Connection Deck is near residence halls and classes making it one of the most convenient places to study. 

This deck was founded on connectedness, care, inclusivity, collaboration, and integrity for holistic growth. 

No. 5 Barnes and Noble 

Barnes and Noble is another signature study spot for UWF students and people from all over the Pensacola area. Barnes and Noble is a bookstore chain rather than a local business or campus site. 

The bookstore is a nice place to browse for novels or inspiration for assignments. The Starbucks café within the store is a popular place to study with plenty of tables and outlets for devices and a strong Wi-Fi network. 

Depending on personal preference, there are quieter parts of the day as well as times when the store is bustling with students.

During the morning and evening hours, Barnes and Noble is a quiet place to study with only the sounds of pages in books turning and coffee machines causing a distraction. On the other hand, the afternoon hours are rather busy as schools finish for the day and young kids come to the store. 

The bookstore is located on Airport Boulevard and is a thirteen-minute drive from campus meaning it is inaccessible to students without a reliable mode of transportation.