A decent place to study can be difficult to find. It is rare for a space to have a vibrant enough setting to keep you awake, but not so much noise that you spend your entire study session people-watching instead of working. As deadlines stack, Berkeley High School students tend to migrate across the city. They scatter to different neighborhoods, swapping loud school hallways for quiet corners in local cafes, public libraries, and hidden outdoor spots where they can focus. However, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all spot to study. Each place will have aspects that work for some and not others. These spots come close to fitting all the necessary boxes for a good study spot while each having their own benefits and downsides that make them unique.
Cafenated Coffee Company
For students willing to walk or bus a bit further down towards Elmwood to secure a solid workspace, Cafenated Coffee Company on College Avenue has become a staple. The cafe is built around an airy, light-filled space, and also has a small outdoor area, making it easy to claim a corner solo without feeling claustrophobic. Unlike crowded commercial coffee chains that rush people out the door, Cafenated keeps a remarkably relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere.
“It’s just a really good vibe in there,” said BHS junior Sophia Hammond, a student who frequents the spot. “You don’t really have to buy anything just to sit in there, like some other coffee shops make you do. Sometimes I’ll just get a muffin or a coffee to sit with while I study.”
Popular menu items include their signature matcha lattes and freshly baked seasonal pastries, with a standard latte costing around $6.25. There is another location on Vine Street, in North Shattuck. Both locations of the cafe remain open until 6 p.m. daily, giving students plenty of time to finish up their late afternoon study sessions.
Elaichi Co.
Students looking for a similar social buzz but who prefer to stay close to campus often head downtown to University Avenue. Tucked right next to the Target, Elaichi Co. has quickly turned into a post-school den for highschoolers seeking a change of scenery. The shop serves up traditional South Asian street snacks and specializes in chai. Alongside a warm, minimalistic aesthetic, Elaichi also consistently has a good background playlist going. Because it’s so close to both BHS and University of California Berkeley, securing a seat after school can feel competitive if you’re not one of the firsts.
“The vibes are really nice, they play cool music, and they have really yummy chai,” said BHS junior Phoebe Alexander Sudarsky. “I usually go there right after school. It gets pretty packed, but it’s usually fine and I can almost always find a seat. I definitely recommend that people check it out.”
Elaichi is open from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and has similar weekend hours.
RISE studying space
Independent studying doesn’t work for everyone, and true focus sometimes requires a structured environment. When physics or precalculus gets too overwhelming to handle alone, BHS study and tutoring spaces are great support networks. The BHS Rising Immigrant Scholars through Education (RISE) program provides an invaluable workspace equipped with peer tutoring and dedicated mentors.
“RISE has a lot of kids in there and I study with the UC Berkeley tutors,” said BHS junior Miya Saechao Bellamy, “The tutors help me with my math homework and harder subjects that I don’t really know, like science. Having them support me is really good.”
Located on campus in room G-111, the program runs everyday after school, offering an accessible drop in space for immediate academic help.
D Building Stairs
Of course, leaving school grounds isn’t a requirement for getting work done. For students who thrive in the open air, the grassy lawns of the campus green and the tiered concrete stairs that lead you from the campus green to the second level of the D building offer a secluded place to decompress. It is a highly flexible, free space, and is perfect for putting on your headphones and knocking out some work.
“I try to enrich myself by getting something to look forward to,” said BHS sophomore Ram Pellegrino, “Like a snack to give me motivation to complete my work, then enjoying my snack afterwards.”
Berkeley Public Library
For those who prefer a completely secluded environment, the Berkeley Public Library’s Central Branch on Kittredge Street is the perfect place for a solo study session. The quiet zone on the third floor offers a total contrast to the lively buzz of Downtown Berkeley. By choosing to study at the Berkeley Public Library, you’re trading background music for absolute silence.
“It’s just completely quiet as far as that goes,” said BHS junior Sam Martin, who shares that he enjoys going to the library with friends, “When you go up to the third floor of the building, they have really nice chairs to work in.”
The Central Branch of the Berkeley Public Library accommodates busy student schedules by remaining open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. A quiet, calm, and fun place to study in can be highly beneficial to all aspects of learning