Relaxed Studying

It is louder than normal tonight. In the center of the main sitting area, two students work on music. Her, Melody’s, voice has a good sound to it. But they are not a group of two. They are a group of five. Next to them, at another table, two older gentlemen work on their own schoolwork. By the door sit another two students who seem to be doing work together. It seems to be a night of study groups. I am writing this while waiting for a group from one of my own classes. There is no low talking tonight. The students are a loud bunch. The only quiet ones are the ones sitting alone.

I think Melody and her companions are music and theatre majors. One of them, a student in a gray hoodie who looks Mexican was excited about being able to finally memorize a line. In the theatre and music world, I assume that is a big deal.

Behind the counter, Joy, Red, and Jane a joined by two others. Though now, it is only Joy and a new guy. As I was told at the counter when ordering my own drink, Jane is the “Cinderella” for the night. She is not in an apron and is doing the cleaning.

The talking has lessened, slightly. Maybe they were trying to drown out the music that comes through the speakers and has now been lowered in volume. Outside the window at my back, a pair of female students work together. A night for study groups indeed.

Computers seem to be the life of most of the students here. Usually I am writing in a notebook and then typing up these field notes after I am back in my apartment and am in more comfortable clothes. But because I am meeting my own study group, I have brought my computer and am now writing these notes on it. Though, there does seem to be less computers seen right now. That may be because of my vantage point. I have my back to the window and am facing the counter.

The volume in the shop has quieted now. Melody’s group now seems to just be hanging out and talking. It’s always good to sit back and take a break. Especially now that we are on our way to finals. Though, that business won’t be coming in until closer to Thanksgiving break and afterwards.

I just noticed, there is a new feature to this shop. They have a “Happenings” board with events that are going on within the next week. The shop is still busy, but it’s not a study kind of busy. The mood has changed to a more of relaxed atmosphere. Yeah there is still studying going on, but there is a relaxed mood about it. It is a good change from the past weeks full of students with their noses in their books and doing nothing but readying or taking notes or writing essays.

One of Melody’s group members leaves and the one with the laptop moves to take his place. When I entered, the group had three guys and two women. Now it is even.

Behind the counter, Jane continues cleaning. Joy and the new guy continue to serve the patrons. Red and the other woman who I haven’t seen before have disappeared. I think I saw Red leave the shop a little while ago and I haven’t seen her since. Though, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. She could have come back while I was paying attention to my computer.

I wonder what happened to the guy that was sitting at the table next to me. He was here when I entered the shop, but I have not seen him since I sat down. His computer is still here, open and plugged in next to his phone. Oh, there he is. He has returned.

The new guy struggles to keep up with the orders. He is falling behind as there is a line of people waiting for their drinks. He’s not very loud either, which is saying something since the shop is mostly quiet.