As the semester commences, students will be searching for the perfect place to study. From cafés and teashops, to the library and secret studying hideouts, UTEP and its surrounding areas have an array of different places to go cram before a test or get some homework done.

On campus, many students can be found studying at traditional spots such as the library or the Union. Others have coveted spaces they like to call their own. Monica Diaz, senior criminal justice major, said she enjoys studying in multiple places on campus.

“I usually study in the Chemistry and Computer Science Building toward the back because there are chairs and tables at the end of the hallway, and not many people know about it,” Diaz said. “Or I’ll go to the first floor of the library or the music building.”

One place to study at on campus is Einstein Bros. Bagels which offers an array of breads and coffee to students while they take in some reading and studying.

Rosie Chapina, senior forensic science major, said she can study anywhere as long as it’s not at home.

“I mostly come to campus for the library, and occasionally I’ll go to Starbucks,” Chapina said.

There are also a plethora of coffee shops and quiet spaces in the general UTEP area including The Tea Spout, located at 3233 N. Mesa. The Tea Spout provides students with a calm atmosphere while they try teas imported from China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and India.

Seth Hernandez, junior pre-pharmacy major, said he has studied there.

“When I get to The Tea Spout, I order a combination of a luxury matcha (powdered green tea) shot and minor energy, which gives you enough caffeine to keep you awake and enough energy to keep you focused,” Hernandez said.

The owner of The Tea Spout, April Benson, said the location is a good place for students to study because she has an area of the teashop to accommodate this.

“I have a study area that’s quiet, has free Wi-Fi, USB ports and a study bar,” Benson said. “Also, the students receive a really good special; a 16 oz. drink, hot or cold, with a free refill and matcha shot.”

One of The Tea Spout’s specialties is matcha and, according to Benson, it can have beneficial qualities for helping students study.

“Matcha is great for studying because it gives people more of a mental energy that helps with concentration and focus,” Benson said. “And it also has a lot of great health benefits.”

Alternatively, Hillside Coffee and Donut Co., located at 4935 N. Mesa, has a distinctive atmosphere for students to study in.

Ashley Aguilar, an employee at Hillside, said the coffee shop has a few unique quirks that students may benefit from.

“We have a lot more room than some places,” Aguilar said. “We also have outdoor seating, students can get free refills on their coffee—good coffee, not to toot our own horn—and really just the room.”

According to Aguilar, UTEP students living in the surrounding residential area serve as their largest customer base, and in the future, she hopes to incorporate UTEP more in their events and activities.

“I actually am thinking of asking UTEP to have their own booth at our farmer’s market to involve UTEP more,” Aguilar said. “We want to show we are pro-UTEP and we love our Miners.”

Hillside is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6  a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 875-0182.

For more information about The Tea Spout, call 351-0009. The Tea Spout is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Julia Hettiger may be reached at [email protected]