With early mornings, late nights and demanding schoolwork, caffeine has become a daily necessity for many Carlsbad students. From energy drinks to coffee, students are drinking caffeine almost every day to maintain productivity while balancing schoolwork and extracurriculars with increasingly demanding schedules.
As student workloads grow and school days begin earlier, caffeine consumption has become increasingly common among high school students. It has become a habit that influences their everyday morning routines.
“I drink energy drinks maybe 4 times a week, if I’m going to school,” junior Corinne Siaosi said.
For other students, caffeine is not only a preference for extra energy in the morning. Between busy late nights and early mornings, energy drinks have become a fast and reliable option to replace sleep and breakfast.
“It’s just easier to drink an energy drink because I don’t have time to make breakfast to get the fuel for my body,” junior Claire Otten said. “I drink an energy drink every morning when I wake up, so I’m alert for school and not tired in my classes.”
Some students have had caffeine as a part of their routine for so long that it is difficult for them to function without it. They say the energy helps them stay focused at school and awake for extracurricular activities.
“I started drinking caffeine regularly freshman year,” junior Marseille Varela said. “When I don’t have caffeine in the morning, I would say I’m less focused.”
Energy drinks are especially popular, as they can be found almost everywhere. With brands offering “healthier” drinks or more caffeine, students say it’s easier to find a drink that fits their routine. They strive to stay on top of their work, and sometimes that leads to late-night homework sessions, which impacts their energy the next morning.
“I do my schoolwork at night mostly, and so I kind of have to stay up late to get it all done, taking a lot of AP classes,” Otten said. “I think that energy drinks help me stay up late to do my homework and not fall asleep.
While students experience the increased energy and improved mood that caffeine provides, they also face side effects. Patience and energy are impacted, and it can keep students from staying calm.
“I feel like I have a better mood after I drink caffeine because I am more patient and I have more energy to interact with other people,” Siaosi said. “When I drink caffeine, it helps me stay awake, but it doesn’t always help me focus…it’s hard to sit [still].”
Although students recognize the negative effects, most still view caffeine as a helpful tool to manage their day. Some have set personal limits to avoid overconsumption.
“Probably anything more than one and a half energy drinks is too much,” Varela said. “When I don’t have caffeine in the morning, I’m usually just more tired, and sometimes I fall asleep in class.”
Others have considered cutting back on caffeine, but find that it has become too ingrained in their everyday lives to give up so easily. Siaosi said she’s made efforts to reduce her intake, but she struggles to change the habit.
“Yeah, I try to cut back on my caffeine by only having one every other day, but it’s really hard because I think of it now as part of my routine,” Siaosi said.
As caffeine remains a regular part of many students’ lives, its influence on school performance and daily energy levels shows no signs of slowing. For students like Varela, the benefits still outweigh the drawbacks.
“Caffeine helps my performance at school, Varela said. “It helps me be more alert.”
