The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingers in the air and invites students into the doors of the coffee shop during free periods. The hum of students chatting fills the air and mixes with the noise of the coffee machines and dishes clanging together. While waiting their turn to order, students engage in conversation while periodically looking at their phones.
For many U-High students, The Grind is not just a place to grab a snack, but also a source of needed beverages and caffeine to help them stay alert during long days and nights.
Dozens of students visit the coffee shop throughout the day, but it becomes especially popular during free and lab periods when students get a break from their routine schedule. The coffee shop offers a variety of food and snacks. Some of these refreshments include drinks that a customer can customize to their liking, in addition to packaged snacks and carbonated beverages.
Ariel Williams, who works at The Grind, said, “During the morning lab periods, students are getting coffee, caffeinated drinks and anything with caffeine.”
Sophomore Siena Moore enjoys going to the coffee shop, especially during her lab periods. She said that compared to other coffee shops, she prefers the taste of the coffee sold at The Grind.
“I get a traditional macchiato,” Siena said, “and I think it tastes better than other coffee shops.”
Students also get exhausted from working all day and night and having to attend school after staying up doing their homework. When students are feeling tired and down, going to the coffee shop, especially during free periods, helps them get boosts of energy throughout the day, feel more awake and remain more focused in classes.
Siena said, “I go because I usually run on five hours of sleep or less, so the coffee wakes me up.”
Going to the coffee shop can generally help students take their minds off stressful things and give them a break from the stress of the day and the tasks that they need to complete.
Sophomore Aya El Bissati also enjoys going to the coffee shop during her lab periods.
“I think going to the coffee shop is something fun I can do in the middle of school that can help take my mind off of things sometimes,” Aya said, “and when I need a break, going to the coffee shop can help relieve my stress.”
As students step out of the cozy coffee shop, they savor slow sips of their refreshing drink, ready to continue with their day, while feeling more alert and energized from each sip.
