Coffee is a drinkable liquid that stimulates the mind and body. Lock Haven University (LHU) students find this addictive substance helpful yet harmful to their busy lives. Students participate in extracurricular activities outside of their regular class schedules, such as jobs, on and off-campus events, clubs, and sports.
College students often drink coffee to avoid a midday crash during the semester. Inside LHU’s Starbucks, several sleep-deprived college students voiced coffee’s contribution to their daily lives.
Brady Proctor said, “I don’t often drink coffee, but I enjoy it; I mostly drink tea and soda, which both typically have caffeine. When I drink coffee in the morning, it wakes me up.” When asked whether caffeine would impact his reaction time and balance, he said, “I think it would make me react quicker, but I do not think it affects my balance in a positive way.”
Zach Waltrup and Janessa Swartz shared similar thoughts. While they agree coffee energizes them, Waltrup and Swartz also think their coffee consumption determines whether or not they get headaches.
“Coffee positively and negatively affects me,” Swartz said. It’s something that wakes me up in the morning, but if I don’t have it in the day, it gives me a massive headache.”
In addition to energy boosts students, like Tabitha Gallaher, also enjoy the creativity behind coffee.
“I like the fact that coffee is so customizable; there are many different flavors of coffee blends, creamers, and syrups,” Gallaher said. “After my first cup of coffee in the morning, I have energy and motivation to do what I need to do, but when it wears off, I feel tired, unmotivated, and sleepy.”
Based on students’ personal experiences, coffee positively impacts their day when they first drink it. Students also note that they experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, drowsiness, slower reaction time, and poor balance. However, students reported that, when they consumed coffee, their energy would be restored.
On-campus baristas see the effects of caffeine firsthand. Taylor Hicks, a Starbucks barista and student, noticed the energy it brought to her peers. “You can definitely notice the pick-me-up attitude from students when you are taking orders and making drinks,” Hicks said.
College students’ dependence on coffee led Health Science Professor and Assistant Athletic Trainer Jody Russell to investigate the pros and cons of caffeine. Russell conducted a study with former LHU student Kate Hooper titled “The Effect Caffeine has on Balance and Reaction Time.”
The study hypothesized that ingesting caffeine would produce quicker reaction times and increase balance stability in subjects. When describing the variable groups, Russell said: “We looked at 24 healthy males and females between the ages of 18 and 25. We wanted to include those who had just consumed a moderate amount of caffeine, which was anywhere between 100mg to 200mg.” They believed the study would find students producing quicker reaction times and increased balance stability after drinking coffee.
However, the results showed that caffeine intake does not significantly affect balance and reaction time.
Russell further explained the effects of caffeine.
“The effects of caffeine, in general, can range from an increase in heart rate, body temperature, and blood flow to the skin and extremities. It can increase blood pressure. It can increase respiration, your awareness, blood sugar levels, and urine production.”
Regardless of the negative effects, coffee can be a quick source of energy for students in a pinch. “I love coffee and I’ll continue to drink it even if it does bring some setbacks,” said student Loren Glossner.
