A student getting coffee-ed up while studying in the library
By 9 P.M. inside the Cohen Library, Joshua Arthur had already finished his second iced coffee of the night. The senior communications major sat surrounded by notebooks and an open laptop, working on late–semester coursework while bracing himself for a long commute home. “If I don’t drink coffee,” Arthur says, “I honestly don’t know how I’d stay awake long enough to get everything done.”
Like Arthur, many CCNY students rely on caffeine as academic pressure builds throughout the semester.
Across campus, students turn to coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages to keep up with exams, papers, and projects. Long commutes, part–time jobs, and packed schedules leave little room for rest, pushing many students to use caffeine as a coping mechanism rather than a convenience.
Across the country, the vast majority of college students consume caffeine. A national study of U.S. college students found that more than 90 percent reported using caffeine, most often to stay awake, improve concentration, and boost energy, patterns that closely mirror the experiences described by CCNY students
At CCNY, caffeine plays an especially prominent role because many students travel from other boroughs, attend multiple classes in a day, and then head straight to work or home. For them, caffeine helps sustain focus through long days. “Some days I’m on campus from morning to night,” Arthur says. “Coffee is what keeps me focused.”
Sophia Ann, an undeclared sophomore, says caffeine shapes her routine even though she tries not to depend on it. “I don’t actually like energy drinks,” Ann says. “During heavy exam periods, it feels like everyone is drinking them, and you feel like you have to keep up.” Ann notices caffeine everywhere on campus, from students carrying iced coffees into lectures to
late–night study sessions fueled by energy drinks. “It’s almost normalized,” she says. “No one really questions it.”
Jada Faulkner, a communications and advertising/PR major, says caffeine often feels unavoidable during the busiest points of the semester. “It’s not even about wanting coffee,” Faulkner says. “It’s more about needing something to keep you going when you’re exhausted and still have work to do.”
Some students rely on caffeine less for productivity and more for endurance. Ann notes that exhaustion often outweighs health concerns. “You know it’s not great for you,” she says. “But when you’re behind on work, sleep feels optional.”
Arthur echoes that sentiment, explaining that caffeine often replaces rest during demanding academic weeks. “I’ll tell myself I’ll sleep later,” he says. “Right now, I just need to get through.”
Research also suggests that heavy caffeine consumption among young adults can disrupt sleep patterns and increase feelings of anxiety and restlessness. A study examining college student mental health links high caffeine intake with depressive symptoms and anxiety. Despite their reliance on caffeine, students acknowledge its downsides. They describe crashes, anxiety, and irregular sleep schedules as common side effects. Still, academic demands make it difficult to stop. “It’s a short–term fix,” Ann says. “But it’s the fix that works at the moment.” Caffeine remains a constant presence on campus.
For students balancing coursework, commuting, and work responsibilities, coffee cups and energy drinks have become symbols of
survival. “Everyone’s tired,” Arthur says. “This is just how we deal with it.”
Series: Education
