Students yawn and struggle to stay engaged as coffee and energy drinks line the desks. For some students, the drinks are just a one-time deal, but for others, this is a daily occurrence. 

Senior Elliot Karpin finds himself drinking coffee most days of the week.

“[I drink coffee] probably five to six days a week,” Karpin said. “I usually have four espresso shots, and then I make a latte in the morning.”

Junior Nadia Moiny said that she also drinks coffee often.

“[I drink coffee] at the minimum, once a day,” Moiny said. “Sometimes, if it’s sugar-free, twice a day.”

Moiny also said that drinking coffee helps her stay awake.

“I honestly feel like if don’t get at least some caffeine, then I get bad headaches,” Moiny said. “I feel like I can’t stay awake, and I sleep the whole day away.”

Karpin claims that he doesn’t have a caffeine addiction, unlike other students.

“I don’t need coffee, I just kind of like it,” Karpin said. “[I am aware of the dangers of too much caffeine] because my dad is addicted to it. 

Contrary to Karpin, Moiny believes she has a caffeine addiction.

“Yeah, I definitely [have a caffeine addiction]. I can drink two coffees and still go to sleep. It’s bad,” Moiny said.

Moiny said she has tried to manage her caffeine addiction.

“I’ve tried [to manage my caffeine addiction]. Someone told me to taper off [on my intake], and I’ve been trying to replace it with juices and it’s been working,” Moiny said. “But honestly, I’m just trying to stay locked in [with school]. I’ve also been trying to replace coffee with chai.”

Although she claims she has a caffeine addiction, Moiny said that she is aware of the dangers of too much caffeine.

“Yes, I’m aware [of the dangers of too much caffeine], but you know what? It’s either caffeine or drugs. You win some and you lose some,” Moiny said.

Karpin started drinking coffee at an early age.

“[I started drinking coffee] regularly at 13 or 14,” Karpin said. “I like making it at home more [than buying it].

Moiny said that she started drinking coffee during the pandemic.

“It all started during the pandemic because my sister got a job, so she started making coffee,” Moiny said. “It was just a slippery slope from there. You just say one time, and the next thing you know, you’re addicted.”

Moiny prefers either buying or making her coffee.

“I like buying coffee because I like being able to throw away the cup, but then there’s the turtles,” Moiny said. “But when I have good coffee flavoring and creamers, like the Chobani sweet creamers, [I’ll make my coffee].”

When it comes to quitting coffee, Karpin shares that he could. 

“I could just stop drinking it every day and be fine,” Karpin said. “But I don’t want to because I like it. I’m more tired if I don’t have it.”