Get Off Campus: 8 Ways to Break Up Your Study Routine

As quickly as the spring semester comes – poof! it’s gone. For my fellow college students, one word dominates the end of a semester: finals. When facing the plethora of exams, papers, presentations, and projects, it’s vital to change up the way you might study by finding a new location conducive to your finals needs. Or, you may want to take a break altogether. Fortunately, the greater Grand Forks area contains variety of places ideal for study sessions or a nice little break!

Urban is a Downtown Grand Forks classic, located off Kittson Ave. and 4^th St. N. I have spent many an hour in this local favorite, whether it be to work on schoolwork, catch up with a friend, or stop in for one of their legendary Italian sodas (a must try next time you’re downtown). The atmosphere is everything you could hope for – large windows glowing with daytime light (warm yellow lighting after the sun sets), old-time wood flooring and bench seating, and subtle coffeehouse tunes jangling in the background. Though ambiance is important in any study setting, Urban also serves a variety of coffee shop classics. Some items sure to satisfy your study-time cravings include bagels, muffins, cookies, loaves, house-blend coffees, teas, and of course the aforementioned Italian sodas.

Another local favorite is Bully Brew. Not only does Bully Brew serve the coffee needed for those finals cram-sessions, but they also serve a variety of breakfast and lunchtime foods – an ideal option for any daytime studier. This coffee company roasts their own beans and serves a large population with multiple locations in the area, both in Grand Forks and across the river in East Grand Forks, MN. They have shops in Hallock, Park River, and Fargo if you need a day trip to clear your head. As you may expect in a small-town coffee shop, Bully Brew’s locations are spacious and cozy – providing a nice Midwestern feel, perfect for educational visits or a nice conversation with friends!

On a bit of a different note from the previous coffee shops mentioned, the Grand Forks Public Library is a prime spot for those who enjoy the tranquility of near-silence, being surrounded by the figurative thoughts of many intellectuals, and printed in black and white, bound carefully in books adorning the library’s shelves. As an English major and, in turn, a justified reading lover, libraries are an oasis and another ideal place to plod through schoolwork, finals or otherwise.

I grew up riding my bike to the local library, attending summer book reading sessions, and spent countless afternoons wandering up and down the many aisles of books. Each time I visited, I can recall finding a new nook or cranny where I would swear I was alone with my book and/or homework, until I heard my mom whisper-shouting my name (the voice we all know too well). The extensiveness of Grand Fork’s local library provides an optimal area to study with few interruptions and potential seclusion from the main area… that is if you can find your own nook or cranny!

Herbalife shake shops are something unique to the Grand Forks area in the fact not all surrounding areas have them, although the locally run branches stem from global wellness giant Herbalife Nutrition. These shops have made a strong appearance in the Grand Forks area and sell items like protein shakes and teas. For a little brain fuel, you can also try nutritional snacks such as protein balls and protein bars. Though Herbalife is a corporation, various community members run their own shops and draw in quite a population. Some of the local shops are Now or Never, Revive, SU, The Shrink Tank, Impact Nutrition, Vital, and Below Zero Nutrition.

These shake shops serve a large population as it’s a quick meal replacement alternative. Some places have optimized to college and high school students and hold special hours during finals week. Though each shop is unique, these “finals nights” offer deals on products and host limited late-night hours to help encourage students to study.

If anyone asks to go to Tea & Crepe, two things should go through your head. First, an internal YUM! Second, an enthusiastic “you ‘betcha!”. Just as the name suggests, Tea & Crepe is a local business which sells milk teas, assorted crepes, and my personal favorite: Thai rolled ice cream. In addition to these decadent items, Tea & Crepe also has appetizers, in case you’re a little hungrier. This place is a somewhat recent addition to the Grand Forks area and located in a prime location for the college crowd, just along Demers Avenue in downtown Forks.

The tiny eatery offers an upbeat environment with a plenty of ways to engage in a little fun. Inside, there is seating to enjoy all the yummy items you may try, and also a little nook which has a few games to be played among friends. Tea & Crepe is a perfect spring and summer treat, but definitely one you will bear the cold for again after your first visit.

Red Pepper – a Grand Forks classic! I know you are probably thinking I have referred to nearly every place I have written about as ‘a classic’, but I promise you each of them is justified and a classic in their own unique way! Red Pepper is a small-town secret you will definitely want to be in on. Red Pepper, or “The Pep” or “Pep”, serves tostadas, tacos, enchiladas, salad and soups, burger and dog renditions, and the fan-favorite grinders.

A grinder is a sub roll with a conglomeration of meats, cheeses, lettuce, and the world-famous (or at least Grand Forks famous) red and white sauce. Red Pepper is a seemingly “chill” atmosphere with lots of booths for seating and a small-town community atmosphere. It is one of the places you appreciate after growing up in Forks, looked forward to eating after a sporting event as a kid, and a place you are likely to randomly run into friends you haven’t seen in ages! Luckily for us, Pep has late-night hours and can satisfy those near midnight cravings you have. There are multiple locations in the Grand Forks area but, for any first-timer, make sure your OG experience is at the original Red Pepper located along University Ave.

River Cinema 15 is located in the neighboring city of East Grand Forks, MN, though just across the bridge when coming through Downtown Grand Forks. River Cinema is a locally owned movie theater which houses fifteen theater-rooms! Beyond its substantial size, River Cinema offers a variety of movie snacks. You can find popcorn (buttered, cheddar, and caramel), hotdogs, pretzels, slushies, Dip-N-Dots, and soda. Recently, River Cinema also began offering alcoholic beverages to patrons of age. In addition to the expanded beverage options, the theater also completed the process of converting a number of theaters to luxury seating, which have reclining and heated seat capabilities. Now that’s what I call a good time! Whether you upgrade to the luxury seating or go for the normal theater package, the movies make for a great study break and a great way to spend time with friends and family.

Frolfing, a term which combines the two activities of frisbee and golf. In the Greater Grand Forks area, you can find frolfing holes (or baskets) at Lincoln Park or Riverside Park, both of which are in Grand Forks. Additionally, in East Grand Forks, MN you can find the game holes at Zavoral Park which is just over “The Dike” near “The Point”. This activity can be played in groups and makes for the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful spring and summer weather the Midwest has to offer. If you choose to frolf at Lincoln or Riverside Park I highly recommend walking around some of Grand Fork’s older neighborhoods with historic homes. Overall, frolfing is a fun activity and provides a chance to get out of the house during finals, or anytime in the coming months!

Hopefully, the four ideas to change your study location and the four other ways to step away from studying are ones you hope to try in the upcoming months as the semester comes to a close. I hope through sharing a few of my hometown favorites that you are able to find a few new of your own!