It seems the most universally recognized study tool during finals week isn't necessarily books or notes, but caffeine. Four out of five Americans rely on a steaming cup of coffee or an ice-cold soda to jump start their day, salvage a sleepy afternoon or guarantee a few more hours of productivity.
Caffeine is the world's stimulant of choice. On average, a person consumes around 200 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is equivalent to about four cans of Mountain Dew, four cups of tea, two regular strength No-Doz, a 10-ounce bar of chocolate or two eight-ounce cups of non-gourmet coffee. However, many coffee shop drinks pack a lot more caffeine. For example, a Starbucks Grande Latte has 550 milligrams caffeine, which is far above the daily average, making it a popular choice for tired students.
"Most people consume on average two or three cups of coffee or 200 milligrams of caffeine, and these are not dangerous levels of caffeine intake. But there are people who consume ridiculous amounts of caffeine, like 15 cups of coffee. These people can get hyper, anxious or their heart can race, which isn't healthy," said Dr. Nancy Delaney, a physician at Student Health and Counseling Services of Saint Louis University.
The good news is that there are few serious health concerns for heavy caffeine dependence.
"For there to be a serious health risk or side effects people would have to drink it very rapidly. This would lead to slight caffeine intoxication where they feel flushed and their heart races, possibly leading to more serious issues," Dr. Delaney said.
Doctors at the University of Iowa suggest decreasing caffeine intake during finals week in some instances.
Large doses of caffeine can promote a state of endless withdrawal and tolerance, which interrupts sleep patterns and causes sedation. In addition, sleep-deprived students who often ingest large quantities of caffeine are more probable to crash in the midst of an exam, which is never a favorable situation.
Furthermore, caffeine can either help or hinder your performance depending on the type of task you undertake.
If you are solving arithmetic problems or proofreading a paper, a cup of joe or a soda might speed up the process and improve your performance.
Studies have proven that caffeine speeds up the reaction time and the automatic processing skills required for these tasks.
However, if you are interpreting a poem, analyzing a research article or completing a series of statistical sets, you may function better without the caffeine because it worsens performance on more complex tasks.
There is always the option of foregoing caffeine altogether. Many suggest a more natural approach by making a routine study and sleep schedule, while also factoring in a nutritious diet and exercise, which boosts the body's natural energy level.
But those who prefer the caffeine route are advised to exercise caution in withdrawing from caffeine intake after finals are over, as they are more susceptible to experiencing side effects.
"If you are going to withdraw from caffeine, do it slowly. There are caffeine-induced headaches, fatigue and anxiety that can follow," said Dr. Delaney.
