Studying at Coffee Shops: Productive or Just Seeking Atmosphere?

JurnalPost.com - Among Gen Z, coffee shops are no longer just places to enjoy coffee or gather with friends. Many students now choose them as spots to complete their coursework. The sight of open laptops, chargers near tables, and a cup of coffee accompanying one's work has become quite common. This habit is interesting to discuss because it raises a question relevant to student life: does working on assignments in a coffee shop truly make someone more productive, or does it lead to spending more time enjoying the atmosphere?

Choosing a café as a place to study is not inherently wrong. An atmosphere different from one's bedroom or boarding house can make studying feel less monotonous. Some students feel more energized when in a comfortable environment, especially when they have a pile of assignments to finish. Coffee shops can also serve as spaces for discussion and exchanging ideas when assignments require teamwork. In other words, there are reasonable justifications behind this habit.

This phenomenon can be linked to research by Thahira et al. (2025) titled 'Work From Café: An Exploration of Place Attachment Formed by Café Visitors in Malang City.' The study, which involved four informants, found that furniture comfort, lighting, and cleanliness were physical factors that played a role in forming visitors' attachment to a café. Social factors, such as the opportunity to spend more time there, a sense of belonging, and feelings of being safe and valued, were also found to contribute to this attachment. These findings explain why the condition of a place and its social atmosphere can be part of someone's considerations when choosing a café for their activities.

However, being in a place that supports study activities does not always mean the work will be completed well. An open laptop and books arranged on a table may give the impression of being busy, but they do not necessarily reflect actual results. Attention can be divided between assignments, conversations with friends, phone notifications, and the activities of other visitors. Without realizing it, time that should have been used to complete work is instead spent on things outside the original goal.

This phenomenon becomes even more interesting when linked to social media. Photos of coffee next to a laptop, neatly arranged tables, and the aesthetic atmosphere of a café often appear in young people's posts. Such posts cannot immediately be considered a form of showing off, as everyone has different reasons for sharing their activities. Even so, what is seen on social media does not necessarily depict a person's entire activity. A photo of a laptop and a cup of coffee cannot be a measure of whether the work was actually done or if it was only opened for a moment to take a picture.

The difference between being productive and looking productive is something that needs attention. Productivity relates to the work done and the results achieved, while the impression of productivity is more related to how the activity appears to others. Someone can spend hours in a coffee shop but go home with unfinished work. Conversely, there are students who come with a clear goal, finish their work, and then go home without feeling the need to post their activities on social media.

The condition of the place also affects study activities. Noise levels, chair comfort, lighting, internet connection, and the availability of power outlets can determine whether someone is able to concentrate. Not all students are comfortable working on assignments amidst music and the conversations of other visitors. Some find that a crowded atmosphere helps them stay energized, while others need quiet to understand the material well. Therefore, a coffee shop cannot be considered the most suitable study place for everyone.

Another thing that is no less important is the cost. Spending time in a café usually requires one to buy food or drinks. If done occasionally, this expense might not be a problem. However, if almost every assignment is done at a coffee shop, small costs can add up to a significant amount over a month. For students who still rely on a monthly allowance, this habit needs to be considered so that the desire for a comfortable atmosphere does not end up burdening their finances.

Before choosing to study at a café, students can determine the work they want to complete, estimate the time required, and then check their results before leaving. This approach does not mean every visit must be strictly serious without breaks. Resting and enjoying the atmosphere is still reasonable, as long as both do not take over the main goal. If an assignment is difficult to complete because the place is too crowded, moving to a library or studying at home can also be an option. Adjusting the location to one's needs helps students use their time and money more consciously.

Ultimately, studying at a coffee shop cannot be immediately labeled as a productive habit or just a waste of time. Everything depends on the goal and how someone utilizes the space. If the café atmosphere helps the work get finished according to the target, that choice can certainly be beneficial. However, if most of the time is spent chatting, browsing social media, or creating content, that study habit needs to be evaluated. A coffee shop can be a place to find an atmosphere, but the result of the work remains the main thing that needs attention. Because productivity is not determined by where someone sits or the photos they post, but by the work that is actually successfully completed.