By Rico Diego
As a certified caffeine addict and a publicly well-known advocate, I believe caffeine is what will get you through college. I was told, “You’re the guy I saw every day with an energy drink last semester.” Since coming to Southern Virginia University in 2021, I have taken 15–18 college credits. I have also worked a part-time job of at least 20 hours, am currently the Assistant Executive Secretary for the Buena Vista YSA stake, and am a Men’s Wrestling team member. In an ideal world, I drive a Lamborghini and get an average of 8–10 hours of sleep. But that’s not the point of life I am at; it is the life I am working for. I am lucky to get six; five is acceptable; four, and I am most likely getting ready to double scoop my pre-workout before wrestling practice. Sorry, Coach. If there were a way for me to personally thank caffeine for helping, I would. It helps me stay awake during a boring history class, have the energy to do my class readings, and stay awake to study a bit longer. Other students are in the same boat.
SVU Students Who Are Pro-caffeine
Xavier Jukes, a Sophomore, gives us an insight on why he needs caffeine.
“I have four classes, and they absolutely suck because of the workload. Tuesdays and Thursdays are even worse because I work those days and the pay isn’t even that great. Between work, wrestling, and a social life I end up having to make sacrifices. Sleep is what gets tossed out.”
Parker Arnold, a Junior, says,
“I only take it for when I work out, but it definitely makes my life easier.”
Ethan Ashton, Junior, says,
“Man with all the homework I have it really helps to stay awake and manage to do just a bit more. I tried not to rely on it but it definitely helps to make life a bit easier.”
Caffeine is what helps a lot of people to stay alert and focused. Without this caffeine, these students would be even more tired and maybe even more backloaded on work.
SVU Students Who Are Anti-caffeine
With all this being said, a good amount of students don’t take caffeine at all. Tyson Hoopes, a Junior, says,
“I don’t take it since it messes with my sleep.”
Chase Pope, a Junior, says,
“I don’t take any caffeine at all. It makes it significantly easier on the wallet.”
Macgregor Henrichsen, a Junior, said this about caffeine use.
“I don’t like the idea of being dependent on something so I try to avoid it.”
A popular and well-known freshman, Hunter Merrill, said,
“I don’t take caffeine, but I am so exhausted.”
My Caffeine Go-tos
While some may argue that it affects your wallet, sleep, and addiction; I simply see the benefit outweighing the cost. I personally recommend the Orange Dreamsicle from Reign, the Sour Patch Kids Ghost, and the Yerba Mate Berry Blue.
*THE FOLLOWING SHOULD ONLY BE TAKEN BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT SENSITIVE TO CAFFEINE* 5 OUT OF 5 DOCTORS DO NOT RECOMMEND.
If you are wanting an amazing pump and energy at the gym, I recommend taking the following concoction:
- Sour Patch Kids Blue Raspberry Energy Drink
- Prime Lemonade Energy Drink
- Prime Lemon Lime Sports Drink
- Your favorite pre-workout
- Creatine
- Sour Patch Kids Extreme Airhead Patches
What is your favorite way of getting caffeine? Do you have any fun concoctions people should try?
THE #1 KEY TO SUCCESS AS A COLLEGE STUDENT was originally published in The Herald on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
