By Ashley Bedikian

I believe the ambiance of a coffee shop can shape your working efforts and could potentially make you more productive than in other settings. 

Raleigh is an amazing city with lots of places to explore. I find myself happiest when exploring new coffee shops and finding unique drinks that I can’t get anywhere else. A delicious iced coffee can make the biggest difference in my day.  

It's a rainy morning in Raleigh, and I walk into Iris Coffee Lab. The vibrant green of the plants and white walls are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The smell of coffee beans roasting and the sweetness of the air instantly rid me of my puffy eyes. I am greeted with smiles from the baristas as I go up to the front and order my go-to drink, the Cherry Marzipan Latte. I then venture over to my favorite spot on the corner of the couch that overlooks the coffee shop. I look around and see everyone around me enjoying themselves and their coffees.  

I realized at this moment how a trip to a coffee shop completely changed my working mindset. I instantly found myself in a better mood and determined to complete my schoolwork for the day. I’ve always found myself cozy and comforted in a setting like this. 

Time had flown by as I did my homework and sipped on my coffee. I will never be able to be as productive as I am in a coffee shop. My advice to anyone would be to find a coffee shop that feels safe and uplifting. You might even find yourself more productive than you ever imagined. You won’t regret it!