By Ashika Gowda
Student study groups have found a new venue — coffee shops. Cafes across the city have been offering special prices and facilities after noticing a growing trend of students using their premises to prepare for exams and exchange notes.
The trend is noticeable in localities like Koramangala, J P Nagar, R R Nagar and Indiranagar, which have a large student population. The surge is particularly felt during the exam season. Owners report a 30-40% increase in footfall, especially from December until mid-January, transforming otherwise quiet weekday afternoons into busy hours. “The exam season has contributed to a 10-15% rise in weekday revenue,” said a cafe owner, whose shop is located in Koramangala.
Other cafes Metrolife spoke to have noticed an 8-10% increase in overall profit due to the student population in the last three to four weeks.
At Dialogues Café in Koramangala, the space is intentionally designed to be cosy and increase focus, says owner Uday Kiran. Amenities like reliable WiFi, ample plug points, dedicated reading corners, and a quiet and calming ambience, make it ideal for study groups, he adds. “We also don’t play music, which makes it easy to focus on study or work,” he explains.
To make it more student-friendly, the cafe has day passes and flexible billing options, allowing them to work comfortably without feeling pressured to order repeatedly. Other cafes do not offer daily passes; however students are permitted to order any one snack or beverage and continue studying until the cafe closes. “These passes ensure predictable revenue while keeping the space accessible,” Kiran explains.
Students say cafes offer a more structured environment that motivates them to stay focused. Rishitha R, a science student currently in 2nd PUC, frequently studies at Dialogues Café. She says, “When I study at home, I get distracted easily. Here, the calming ambience and seeing others working helps me stay disciplined.”
Having a dedicated space to work, comfortable seating and the readily available beverages and snacks are some of the other factors that have driven the trend, students say.