Though we’ve fallen back and are now in the depths of early dusk and late sunrise, we somehow end up sleeping less because of our post-Halloween horrors; midterms, papers and exams, oh my! And as the season of giving approaches, it looks like we’ll be receiving plenty more assignments. To keep you awake long enough to make it to second term, The Ubyssey presents a guide to the best study sesh/refresh coffee shops on campus.

Ike’s Café
1961 East Mall

Conveniently situated in the IBLC, Ike’s Café has fast service for those wanting a quick bite to-go as well as a spacious lounge with plenty of tables for studying, and electrical outlets so you can play Happy Farm on your laptop (this is an important part of the studying process). They offer the caffeine basics, from lattes and cappuccinos to teas starting from $1.65. They’re quick with drinks, but you’ll have to wait a little longer for food. If you’re feeling hungry, it’ll cost you from $4–5 or more for campus-style café fare. The sandwiches or samosas will generally satisfy your hunger, but not always your taste buds. Their drink menu doesn’t offer much room to be creative with syrups or milks, and their food menu varies from day to day; if you’re lucky, you’ll come across the occasional quiche. If you’d like to skip the caffeine, Ike’s also offers bottled juices, vitamin water and flavoured milk.

Ideal for: A snack before, after, or during a study session.

The Boulevard
5970 University Boulevard

The Boulevard’s comfortable, chatty atmosphere will suck you in and you may find yourself chiming into a conversation here or there—or perhaps you’ll find yourself posting your eavesdropping on Overheard at UBC. They offer a capacious seating area, including some outdoor seating, as well as a seminally updated art gallery. In the event that you find yourself without a seat, you can linger by the counter until one is available. The Boulevard roasts their own coffee beans and offers coffee, lattes and well-made cappuccinos from $1.65 and up. The Boulevard is open daily until 10pm.

Ideal for: A harebrained discussion about the meaning of life.

Caffe Perugia
2350 Health Sciences Mall

Tucked away in the Life Sciences Centre, is Caffe Perugia, a cozy coffeeshop laden with foods and caffeine galore. Teas and coffee start at $1.60, and besides the usual array of croissants and cinnamon buns, you’ll also find rice bowls and sushi starting from $4. In addition, Caffe Perugia serves soups, paninis and pasta. It’s a great solution for picking up a snack or energy drink, or a place to have lunch with a friend. If you avoid the peak hours, they provide a nice outdoor view with lots of natural light. Bonus points for large tables and a plethora of electrical outlets.

Ideal for: Writing a paper that is (over)due.

Café  MOA
6393 North West Marine Drive

For those of us who have to travel near the Museum of Anthropology for classes or discussions, Café MOA is a good solution on days you forget your lunch. Starting from $4, Café MOA offers sandwiches, wraps, paninis, soup and a recent addition to their menu—samosas. They sell teas and coffee from $1.65; not the typical Tazo or Lipton brands. They also offer a selection of energy drinks and bottled juices similar to the ones available at Starbucks. Café MOA has a large seating area, but their tables and chairs are more suitable for dining than studying. Generally, Café MOA provides a quiet environment, until a train of eager elementary students on field trip trek in.

Ideal for: Grabbing a snack as you make your long trek to Koerner Library.

LTK Café
6331 Crescent Road

Located below Sage Bistro, LTK Café serves coffee and tea from $1.65 as well as the usual selection of baked goods from $1.80 and up. They
offer sandwiches from $3–$4 but not much else in the way of foods. They are equipped with a microwave for you to heat up your own meal, however. LTK Café has a great seating area with tables and couches suitable for individual or group studying, as well as a view of a lovely zen-inspired garden complete with a pond and benches. Overall, LTK Café is probably a better choice for picking up a snack as you study. If you’re looking for a cold drink, they also offer bottled juices and pop.

Ideal for: Meditation to calm the pre-exam nerves.