Beating the Second-Semester Slump: Where to Study near Bellaire High School

The first six-week cycle of the spring semester is almost over, and my freshman year at Bellaire seems to be much like my first day there - a complete blur. That is, until this past week. 

Despite having re-adjusted to my demanding class schedule after a too-short winter break, I am suddenly feeling unmotivated. Ten minutes spent procrastinating on Instagram feels more like an hour. The mere idea of even opening a Quizlet set to study for an upcoming Biology test is exhausting enough to merit its own five-minute break. To be completely honest, I hate this lackadaisical feeling that has washed over me. In fact, I feel happiest working through stacks of homework - checking off items in my planner has always been a reliable source of joy. 

Studying at home can be great - sometimes working in a familiar environment can reduce distractions, but maybe getting out of my normal routine could add a must needed boost, and my classmates seem to agree.

“I like to study at home. For finals my friends and I like to study at the Tea House. I procrastinate so I do a lot of work during lunch, but a change of scenery could be nice,” ninth grader Kavi Shah told me as he scrambled to finish his algebra homework. Eden Barr said that she found that “studying at a place such as Starbucks …creates a very productive environment because there are so many other people working there.” Yet it seemed that neither Eden nor Kavi had ever thought of getting out of the house to get work done, except for when finals came around.

There is always abundant outdoor seating in front of Betsy’s at Evelyn’s Park.

So, I’ve decided that the best way to get out of this second semester slump would be a change of scenery by doing schoolwork in a part of Bellaire that is neither my house nor the high school. Here are some places I like to go:

Betsy’s

The new restaurant at Evelyn’s Park is the perfect place to have a snack and study on one of the rare days in Houston where it is so beautiful outside that even the humidity can be ignored. Reviewing taxonomic systems below the canopy of oak trees may sound like a dream-like fantasy, but that will be my reality this coming week.

Dandelion Café

As every Houstonian (or Bellaire-ite?) would know, the weather here is utterly unpredictable. Dandelion Café is a great indoor option for a drizzly afternoon, with an extensive menu of caffeinated drinks to motivate the most lethargic of teenagers through their dullest assignments. Bonus: there’s sidewalk seating where you can bring your pet to keep you company.

A glimpse into the always-busy Roastery.

The Roastery

This is the best study spot for the expert multitasker. Order a cold brew and a bag of amazing glazed donut holes and grab a table. I would even consider taking it a step further by picking up a few things around H-E-B while running through irregular Italian verb conjugations. This combination of restaurant and grocery store is bound to make not only your grades happy but your parents happy as well.

The '401

This doesn’t qualify as a place to study, but it is the ideal spot for a study break. Meet up for Friday night dinner with friends to celebrate the end of a successful school week or reward yourself for acing that algebra test with a stack of Belgian waffles. 
Good food and caffeinated beverages have always been reliable rewards for any student. With each of these study spots either walking distance or a short drive away from Bellaire High School, I know where to go to get the boost I need for successful studying.