I type this article as I sit in my on-campus cafe, drinking an iced coffee even as thick snowflakes fall outside. From the window seat, I notice just how many people pass by with fancy coffees and drinks. People rushing to class, going to the dining hall, meeting with friends. It seems the average college student has a stereotype to be fatigued and exhausted at all hours of the day. And to an extent, I believe that there is a certain expectation that goes along with this. We are expected to stay busy with academics, clubs, jobs and social life. It’s almost that if you aren’t busy all of the time and chronically tired, you’re doing the whole college thing wrong.
Here is where caffeine enters the picture. Cups, cans and bottles of caffeinated beverages seem to appear in the hands of every college student. The National Library of Medicine reports that 92% of students reported consuming caffeine in the past year. The mean daily intake of caffeine was an average of 159- 173 milligrams daily. For reference, the average cup of coffee has 95 milligrams of caffeine in it.
Most people are surprised when caffeine is classified as a drug. Defined as “A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested,” drugs such as caffeine have noticeable impacts on nervous systems. Between waking up early and staying up late, college students turn to this substance on a daily basis in order to tackle their to-do lists. Caffeine is prevalent on college campuses; it seems you’re never more than a few steps away from a coffee shop. In addition to coffee, energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular among college students. The enticing flavors of energy drinks appeal to even those who don’t enjoy coffee.
Caffeine in itself is not objectively bad. Like anything else, it can become harmful when abused. Making caffeine consumption habitual will increase one’s tolerance. I try to only reach for caffeine when I truly feel that I need it. I have also noticed that caffeine bothers me if I sit still. For instance, if I drink an energy drink and then try to sit studying for hours, my heart will race and I will become anxious. Instead, I could enjoy a coffee or energy drink occasionally if I know I will stay busy afterward- whether by exercising, walking, cleaning, etc.
Similar to any other substance, caffeine impacts each individual differently. I have some friends who cannot even have a sip of caffeine, while others could have several coffees and energy drinks and feel little to no effects. I am a firm believer in the “everything in moderation” lifestyle. You should understand how caffeine affects your body, then make a conscious choice of how much you will consume on a regular basis. If coffee is your moment of joy each day, then allow yourself to indulge- life is too short.