Tea, Coffee, and Energy Drinks

Which form of caffeine is better for students?

Haley Uselman, Staff Writer

April 4, 2025

A small cup of Dunkin coffee contains 180 milligrams of caffeine.

If there is one thing that any student will agree on, it is how exhausted they are. From late-night studying to hanging out with friends, working, and even just staying up late because you can, students all know that sleep is scarce and in high demand.

One way to combat this lack of energy is through caffeine, which is a central nervous stimulant that makes the user feel more energized. Thus, sleep deprived students have a serious craving for the stuff.

Now, three prominent sources of caffeine readily available for students are tea, coffee, and energy drinks (Oh my!). The differences between these drinks all come from flavor and the amount of caffeine present.

Tea has the lowest caffeine level of the three, with black tea being the most potent of the types. Black tea has a range of 112-50 milligrams of caffeine per 8 oz. Other types of tea, such as herbal, have very little caffeine, but remember that decaf does not mean completely caffeine-free. It is impossible to completely extract every last bit of caffeine from the tea, as caffeine comes from various types of plants concentrated with the stimulant.

Coffee is the most popular form of caffeine and is consumed by roughly 70% of the world’s population. Chains such as Starbucks and Dunkin’ have certainly promoted this statistic, making coffee widely available and more delicious than ever. There is roughly around 83 milligrams of caffeine in your normal cup (brewing method does matter!); however, there is a brand called Devil Mountain Coffee Company that has a coffee with 1000 milligrams of caffeine! That is an insane amount of caffeine that is not doctor-recommended.

Energy drinks are probably the most popular among students and the most dangerous. Energy has two to three times the amount of caffeine of a cup of coffee per serving, meaning that the stimulant affects the nervous system, sometimes leading to upsetting consequences. A popular brand of energy drink, Celsius, contains around 200 milligrams per can. If you are going to consume energy drinks, it is very important to check the caffeine content.

So, as students choose what manner in which they consume their caffeine, it is important to make sure that the levels always stay at a reasonable amount.

About the Contributor

Haley Uselman, Staff Writer

It’s only 7 a.m? Who could possibly be screaming “So Much Better” from the “Legally Blonde Musical” in the halls? Why, it’s senior Haley Uselman, one of the newest additions to the Hawk Eye staff! Though it is only her first year, Haley is ambitious to begin her work as part of the yearbook and newspaper crew. When asked why she is taking Scholastic Publications, she stated, “I was interested in the class because I like taking photos, and I’m passionate about the yearbook.” After school hours, you can find Haley in the auditorium student directing this year’s play, “The Day The Internet Died.” This is her first year directing, but Haley has been involved in the Fall Play since her sophomore year when she played Mrs. Marlowe. You also may recognize her from playing Portia the dancing fairy in last year’s play “A Second Star.” When she’s not acting her heart out on stage, Haley can be seen slinging frozen Yogurt at Cowtastic. Haley is also passionate about music and musicals. You can always hear her singing a song from a musical, usually “Legally Blonde,” as that is her favorite. She also adores “The Great Gatsby Musical.” When asked which famous person she would pick to have dinner with, Haley beamed, “Noah J. Ricketts, but only under stage lights, and only as Nick Carraway.” Once high school is over, Haley wants to major in business, and then go to law school. Although she has not decided which school she wants to attend, her top picks are Clemson University, Elon University, and Wake Forest University. After her years of schooling, she wants to be a lawyer. But the future is far away, and for now, get ready for some awesome additions to Hawk Eye, and give a warm welcome to Haley Uselman! Written by: Alexandra Thunborg, Staff Writer