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As the semester kicks off, I thought about the best piece of advice I’d give to newly minted Journalism MA students at Columbia College Chicago. Perhaps it’d be to stray outside your comfort zone often or to leave yourself reporting time during business hours.

But then I thought about what I wished I knew when the fall semester kicked off: where can I get a good cup of coffee in the 10 minute break we have in the middle of class?

So, my friends, here is the answer from an insider, ordered by distance from our base of operations, the second floor of the college’s 33 E. Congress building. You’re welcome.

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Cafecito-26 E. Congress

Location: Cafecito is right across the street.

The Goods: You can’t go wrong with their cafe con leche or other Cuban coffee concoctions.

The Pros: A quirky, independently owned joint, Cafecito also has delicious sandwiches and salads for lunch or pre-seminar dinner.

The Cons: If you need to pay by credit or debit card, there’s a $5 minimum, which isn’t really a bad thing, since it’s basically an excuse to order a guava pastry.

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Panera Bread-State and Congress

Location: About half a block away from the grad newsroom.

The Goods: Typical Panera fare. The coffee’s good and usually fresh. I like their hazelnut coffee with a cinnamon bagel.

The Pros: Super close, and pretty fast. Their Panera Rewards Card has some good deals. There’s free WiFi if you want to study somewhere nearby but off-campus.

The Cons: Delicious, but a little pricey.

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Dunkin’ Donuts-Harrison and Wabash

Location: If you go out the doors on Wabash, it’s about half a block away.

The Pros: The price is right, and the coffee is good. Also, there are donuts. DONUTS, people.

The Cons: The chain still uses non-recyclable styrofoam cups for their hot drinks, so bring your own reusable coffee cup.

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Starbucks-520 S. Michigan

Location: This one is the farthest from the cozy confines of the grad newsroom, but if you happen to be on a longer break or visiting the 600 or 618 S. Michigan buildings, it’s only a five minute walk back to 33 E. Congress.

The Pros: If you want a Starbucks-specific coffee drink, you can get your fix here.

The Cons: Since the coffee shop is in the Blackstone Hotel, if you visit in the morning as tourists are getting on their way or during a break in a convention’s schedule, you may encounter lines out the door.

Hopefully, that helps you stay thoroughly caffeinated for hours of work! Or maybe you have other coffee sources nearby? Let me know, and leave a comment.