Unlike other college students, I had never tasted coffee until a month ago. Every day people would ask me how on earth I survived exam week and hours of studying at the library without any caffeine. Simply put, I wouldn’t. When I was tired, I just went to sleep — and trust me when I say I like my sleep (nine hours a night, approximately). I told myself I was going to make it through college without ever having to rely on coffee…
Â
… until one day a month ago. I had an exam two days away and hours of studying left to do. I was helpless and looking for a way to stay awake while looking at a million vocabulary words that all blurred together into one. That helplessness led me to coffee — Dunkin’ Donuts in particular. Not only did I have no idea what to order (yes, I may have panicked a little when I got to the cashier), but it also tasted absolutely awful. Reluctant, I brought the coffee with me to the library and forced myself to drink it all for the sake of memorizing those vocabulary words without falling asleep at my Library West booth.
Then it hit me — the medium mocha iced coffee with skim milk was pumping through my veins. I had never consumed so much caffeine before, and to be honest, I had never felt so energetic and focused. Therefore, I gave coffee another try the next day. Soon enough, I began getting coffee almost every day because it made me feel so energized and awake. My brain was thanking me even though my bank account was crying because $2.75 for a medium does add up, collegiettes.
So then I began thinking, if I’m going to be spending $2.75 on coffee, it better be worth it. Not only does coffee give you that extra boost you’re looking for, but many studies also show that coffee has a host of other health benefits, and has even been found to lower risk for Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and certain types of cancer, which is enough for me to validate emptying my wallet on coffee.
Although I regret spending the last few years coffee-less, I’m glad I finally found my lifesaver. If you have yet to try coffee, though I doubt many of you fall into this rare category like I did, I highly suggest giving it a try. Stay caffeinated, collegiettes!
Photo credit: businessinsider.com