Junior Danielle Rubin wakes up for school after getting four hours of sleep the night before. With ACT work and homework, Rubin was up late trying to get on top of her work. She drowsily gets ready, wishing she could go back to bed. On her way out of the house, she grabs two energy drinks, hoping that will be enough to keep her awake. As she gets to school, she finishes her drinks, waiting for them to kick in so she has enough energy to go to practice and do her work through the school day.
As students go through high school and academic demands escalate, caffeine can come in handy for those long study sessions. With sports, jobs, test preparation, college applications and school work, students have to stay up late so they can get their work done, leaving them sleep deprived. Caffeine can be an easy fix. “Especially on days I had work the night before, I find myself falling asleep during class if I have no caffeine in my system. Drinking coffee in the morning is a large part of why I have the energy to do work during the school day,” junior Alek Bargman said.
Not only do students drink caffeine to help them do their school work, but caffeine can provide a temporary boost in energy for those who play sports, “Drinking caffeine definitely helps me get through practice after a long day of school,” senior Jack Kerns said.
Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world, and among students it is becoming increasingly common. The rise of energy drinks encourages caffeine drinking further. Monster and Celcius have become popular among students. “Celcius is my drink of choice because I don’t like coffee but it has the same effect,” junior Addison Purvis said.
Caffeine increases the production of dopamine and other chemicals that improve focus and mood. This can be especially appealing to students who need to cram or meet deadlines. Caffeine has its downsides though: Excessive caffeine drinking can cause students to become reliant on it. “I need two to three energy drinks a day in order to have energy during the day. Without caffeine in my system I find it harder to stay focused,” Kerns said.
When caffeine is consumed later in the day, it can disrupt sleep, causing a cycle of dependence. Students who have sports, jobs, or homework after school often need more than just a morning coffee. “I sometimes drink an energy drink or coffee in the afternoon before work and I find it usually makes it a lot harder to fall asleep that night,” Rubin said.
