Sometimes we need a break. A good study break does one thing: refreshes. Oxford, thank God, is replete with a host of options for the weary student. There are the old cliches- smoking trendily in Radcliffe Square and popping off to a common room- then their are the nuevo chic Turl Street options: Turl Street Kitchen and The Missing Bean. Nothing is wrong with either, and if I want to pay more than 4 quid for lunch, I tend to find myself in the former and if I need caffeine in crack form (chocolate coated espresso beans) I hit my pushers at the latter. Most of the time, though, I want to be left alone and not spend money. I don’t care if the right people see me pushed up against The Missing Bean’s windows and the wait at the Kitchen annoys me more than it confirms my good taste. The cafe in Old Schools Quad is my secret weapon. You have to have a reader card to get in and one can get tea, fruitcake, and soup for 3.75. It is, I happily admit, not a cool place but it is calm. And cheap. And good. And close enough to work so as not to tempt you to pop off for the whole afternoon. Most serviceable Oxford coffee shops are rammed at lunch. They do not want me to re-use the same tea bag 3 times as I sip my soup and read my rest book (this is a good idea, btw, the rest book keeps the mind warm but gets you off the twin killers of academic reading induced burnout and post-Facebook/social networking twitchiness). They don’t really care at the Old Schools Cafe. The high ceilings give it an airy feel and big windows let in the light. And really, I am not worried that sharing it will ruin it. The decidedly utilitarian tables and chairs and distinct lack of Turl Steet/Radcliffe Square eye candy (of both genders) makes it a distinctly uncomfortable place to flirt/play the Oxford game. It will never be hip, hopefully, but- hopefully- it will remain cheap and pleasant. And I will be found their frequently.