With most college students experiencing daily stress and sleep deprivation due to busy schedules, coffee has become an integral part of the academic experience.    

In Fayetteville, the cafe options are as diverse as the campus itself, offering more than just a caffeine fix.  These cafes cater not only to cravings but those seeking a casual retreat or bustling atmosphere to check off boxes on the to-do list.   

Some popular destinations in the town are 7 Brew, Bolder, Basecamp, Doomsday, Little Bread Company, Onyx and Puritan.  Students on campus also have access to Arsaga’s, Hill Coffee and Starbucks.   

Junior Hannah Soechting’s favorite place to get coffee is Onyx Coffee Lab for both the aesthetics and the motivation. 

“The atmosphere is relaxing but not sterile,” Soechting said.  “It’s very open and refreshing, and my friend and I like to sit by the window and watch the dogs go by while we do work.”   

After Soechting finishes her assignments, she also likes to take her beverage and walk around town with a friend, she said. 

Soechting said her favorite memory at the shop is from the first time she went when visiting her sister, who was then a current UA student.  Their mom surprised them with their favorite drink order, which for Soechting, was a salted mocha. 

“Whenever my family visits, we always have to make a stop at Onyx at least once,” she said. 

Every Christmas, Soechting gathers with her friends to exchange Christmas gifts, a new tradition to end the fall semester. 

In Fayetteville and at the UofA, enjoying coffee isn’t just about the coffee; it’s about encouraging inspiration and creating memories with friends and family. 

“The energy of Onyx helps give me the motivation and sense of importance to enjoy doing my work, with the help of coffee of course,” Soechting said.