Being a college student, I can vouch for the rest of us to say... school is hard. You work all weekend to “get ahead,” then come Monday morning; you have a new stack of papers on your desk. It’s an endless cycle, really. Don’t believe me? Ask me where these Louis Vuittons under my eyes came from (shout out to finals coming up).

Although, do not fear my fellow lions! I have learned the perfect cure to get by these college years (alive). There are two simple ingredients, so pay close attention.

First off: Jesus, of course! He is who our strength comes from. There is nothing that we cannot do without the Lord.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

Now, what's the second ingredient, you ask?

The answer is none other than coffee. Yes, you read that correctly. Coffee. It's the cure to late-night study sessions, and 8am classes...and it tastes delicious!

Now, don't get me wrong. I love Einstein's! I love not only its convenience of being located on campus, but having the ability to use munch money instead of paying out of pocket (the blessings of having that access on a college student budget, you know?). However, there is something about the local coffee shops in Waxahachie that just makes my heart smile. Every one of them has their own uniqueness from their atmosphere to their own specialty drinks.

Vita...where does one even begin? If you haven't gone to this coffee shop, you better grab your keys right now and head on over (unless you're reading this on a Sunday or fall into the small population of college students without a vehicle... *cough* me).

This boho-themed shop deserves all the attention. The decor inside, from the plants to a literal yellow bicycle hanging up, is just too good. Not only that, the baristas are beyond sweet. I don’t think I have ever just ordered my coffee and sat down at Vita. I end up having a whole conversation with these wonderful beings.

Don’t know what to order? No need to fear! Well you shouldn’t have a spirit of fear anyway, but that’s for another day.

Baristas Tyler and Lexy gave me their recommendations on what to order for those of you who may want some assistance when visiting. Lexy recommended their matcha with their house-made vanilla. “If you want to get a little crazy!” add a splash of rose, she added. Then, Tyler suggested a warm brown sugar cappuccino.

My personal favorite is their rose latte with oat milk with an extra shot of espresso (it’s not needed, I have a caffeine addiction). The drink is also served iced. However, you have to get this latte hot at least once. I prefer iced coffee, but let me tell you about this hot rose latte (you’ll want to sit down for this). Not only do you get some beautiful latte art, but they also add dried rose petals. Yes, it has dried rose petals! Man…isn’t that magical? That’s not even the best part; there is more. The drink smells like a rose, no lie. Taking a sip is the equivalent of walking through a garden on a beautiful Spring day. Speaking of Spring…this would be a perfect time to go try a rose latte!

You'll be back, so make sure to ask for a punch card before you go. Every time you visit, you get a hole punched and then you're on your way to a free beverage!

It is an unsaid rule that every SAGU student must visit Fresh with some friends to study at least once. This cute shop is located in downtown Waxahachie, so it is the perfect place to grab a coffee and take a stroll to the antique shops on a Saturday morning. A lot of SAGU lions will be seen inside doing homework, as well as working behind the counter as employees.

Fellow SAGU lion and barista Amalia Martin gave two recommendations for newcomers to Fresh. One is The Bootleg. The Bootleg is a seasonal drink, yet it is so loved that people continue to order it out of season (people as in me). The Bootleg is an espresso-based drink with cinnamon. I (personally) am a fan of the drink iced with oat milk. However, the drink is a masterpiece as a whole! Amalia also recommended The Fawn, one of Fresh's specialty drinks. The Fawn combines white mocha and blackberry within a latte. My personal favorites are The Bootleg, as well as The Moose. The Moose is a specialty drink consisting of a concoction of both cold brew and chocolate milk.

Now, I know what you're all thinking. What about the inside? Well, it's just as brew-tiful (see what I did there?). The place is filled with wooden tables of assorted sizes, ranging from Bible study small groups to catching up with your best friend. Want to lay back and relax? Well, Fresh has that covered, too! Take a seat on some of their couches or iconic sofa chair with the beautiful backdrop and the “Get Fresh” sign!

Allow me to let you guys in on a secret; it involves rewards. Every time you purchase from Fresh; you get a star! Once you get to 12 stars, you get a free drink! How cool is that? Now that, my friends, will leave you feeling like a star yourself. There's no app; all you have to do is add your phone number when you purchase!

White Rhino Coffee is a chain coffee shop found here in Waxahachie along with locations in: Arlington, Cedar Hill, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Red Oak (inside of The Oaks Church). While they all share the same menu, the one here in Waxahachie has an atmosphere that doesn’t compare to the others. Inside, the coffee shop has a series of rooms with different features. Downstairs, also known as “The Living Room,” is filled with couches and group tables perfect for socializing with some friends and family. Then if you go upstairs, you enter “The Conference Room.” This is the shop’s quiet area, which is used for those seeking a place to study without any interruptions. On top of the two floors, White Rhino has outdoor seating all around the building containing a variety of tables and couches.

Store manager, Lindsay White, recommended the iced blueberry coconut latte. This new drink is a part of the shop’s Spring menu. After trying the drink, I understood the hype. It was such a refreshing beverage. It practically tasted like I was sipping a blueberry! White Rhino Coffee has a list of specialty drinks, but these Spring ones are amazing! Along with the blueberry coconut latte, they have a new chai tea, as well as a lavender matcha. These drinks are the definition of “Spring is here!”

Now, what's my recommendation? I know, I know, you are dying to know. Hear me out, an iced americano with lavender and oat milk. I have had my fair share of americanos, but White Rhino's americano literally one-ups them all. Although, what does White Rhino not have (other than an actual white rhino, sorry to you rhino enthusiasts)?

Once you visit, you're destined to come back. That being so, download the app to scan for rewards! Doing so, you can get points to use for free coffee, food, and merch! Also, if you visit another location, your app will work there too! Isn't that amazing?

Employee Amanda recommended a matcha latte with lavender and oat milk. As a person who isn't the biggest fan of matcha (I know, sue me), I have not stopped thinking about this drink since that day. For the people with a sweet tooth, she suggested the same drink but blended and topped with whipped cream.

Pro tip: Go with a friend and have them get one of the two, and you get the other so that you get to taste both (think smarter, not harder).

Three Rivers is not only serving with their coffee (pun intended), but with the interior design of the shop. There are tables spread out across the room, perfect for alone time to read a book or a day out with some friends to catch up.

Now, for my fellow coffee addicts who want pure bean juice because tea won't cut it...let me put you on. The Polar Bear is a specialty drink consisting of white chocolate and caramel within an espresso-based drink. It is available hot or iced, but I (personally) would get it iced with oat milk. Yes, yes, I know oat milk is an extra charge, and didn’t I mention being on a college student… budget blah blah. However, if you're going to spend money for a coffee, you have to do it right. Along with their specialty drinks, Three Rivers has a secret menu. This menu is composed of drinks that baristas came up with themselves, ranging from Chocolate-Covered Strawberry to Mexican Vanilla to even one named Wedding Cake.

Earlier mentioned as a current barista at Fresh, Amalia Martin was once a part of the team at Three Rivers. When asked about her time at the shop, she had nothing but lovely things to say.

"I worked there for about five months; my favorite part was learning about coffee and being trained to understand how the espresso machine worked and created a quality shot. Also, getting to know each regular and seeing them light up every time we remembered their usual drink always made my day. I had so many quality conversations over that bar and met so many cool hachie [Waxahachie] people," states Amalia.

I think it is safe to say that Waxahachie has coffee shops in the bag. Being a small town, we sure do have a great variety. No need to thank me after you go and visit and realize what great coffee these shops have. Once you visit them for the first time, your addiction is guaranteed to start. I will go ahead and apologize for the habit that is about to start, which may leave your pockets hurting a bit (y'all stay safe out there). However, it's worth it, and self love is essential...am I right?