High school students have horrible caffeine habits

Caffeine has become a horrible habit for high school students. Most students have easy access to caffeine causing them to consume it more often. High schoolers have begun to rely on caffeine to get through their days. That is not a good habit to practice.

28.2% of high schoolers drink caffeine every day. Drinking caffeine daily causes the body to become more and more used to it, and its effect on a person weakens. Caffeine also keeps students up at night because they are used to it. 87.4% of students get less than the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep, and 38.9% of those students get less than 5 hours of sleep. While schoolwork and other responsibilities can be a reason why students are up so late, most of the time, it is because caffeine keeps the body awake. Most students expressed how caffeine makes them happier and more hyper. If the student got more sleep and drank less caffeine they would not need caffeine to be happy and awake. Senior Eva Fillipi says, “I definitely can’t go a day without drinking caffeine whether it’s a coffee or energy drink. I drink it but then crash afterward. It makes me way too tired to get anything done.”

 Most students don’t realize when they go to Starbucks and order a Venti coffee, they are drinking the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee. 50% of students drink caffeinated beverages in a cup larger than 8oz (1 cup). 34.4% of high schoolers drink more than one caffeinated beverage per day. Drinking more than one caffeinated beverage in a day is negatively affecting students.

Caffeine should be consumed in moderation for it to not be bad for you. However, high school students do not drink it in moderation. If students drank less caffeine they would get more sleep, and their overall wellness would improve. Most students said caffeine does not have a huge effect on them, which is a negative effect. The body became so used to the caffeine that a crazy amount would have to be consumed for a student to realize its effect. Drinking caffeine in moderation will cause it to help when it is needed without having to consume a crazy amount. 

High School students should reduce the amount of caffeine they are consuming. 33.2% of students believe they should lower their caffeine intake. Most of them do not know how to start. Do not drink caffeine after 2 pm, do not drink more than one drink per day, and reduce the size of the cup you drink caffeine in. These tips can start a student on the correct path to drinking less caffeine.