Coffee Cup Stain

For some people, the only time they ever drink coffee in their lives is in college. That moment where it’s obvious that the only way to finish the work is to stay up all night, and coffee becomes the answer to sleeplessness. It’s really unfortunate for them, because they are missing out on all the positive social aspects of coffee.

For other people, where staying up late means drinking a little more coffee than usual, the positives are already obvious, and the ability to stay up longer is just a side effect. The daunting task of poring over study guides might be a little less daunting, however, as coffee drinkers tend to be over-achievers anyway. The ads for the coffee generation from the last generation deserve a comeback, because it has become more commonplace than ever to find places that serve coffee as the deciding factor for a great hangout. And the studies seem to be showing that the benefits of coffee are perhaps surprisingly pretty high.

In terms of the connection between caffeine and alertness in studying, it’s fairly well-illustrated that there is more than a placebo effect going on. It’s still mysterious, however, that the link is also demonstrably high between type a personalities and habitual coffee drinkers. Which one did come first, and which one is the chicken? Do highly functional people drink coffee because it helps them to maintain their pace, or does coffee turn people into over-achievers?

Because there are still no definitive ways to determine personality or identity, these questions are going to have to remain unanswered. They are always fascinating to ask, however, because the link between personality and habit seems entirely apparent, even if there is no scientific proof. Tests that can tell what kind of person you are by your choice of coffee drinks have a similar appeal as astrology. Even the most jaded common sense would admit that there is something to it, even if most of the time it seems like another chance to talk about the obvious. Coffee drinkers are driven, and some are driven to staying up late and working, while others are driven to milk as much pleasure out of a moment as possible. Both of these types enjoy the habit, but may not both be motivated to achieve. Unless, of course, the definition of achievement changes. This could mean that the really successful college experience is one that is marked by enjoyment as much as by high marks, and this means taking the time to enjoy another cup and some company.