Have you ever pulled an all-nighter to cram a semester’s worth of lessons for a paper the day after?
Or, have you ever partied all night long with friends until you had to drag yourself to class like a zombie the next morning?
We’ve all been there before, livin’ the “student life”.
I always had a secret weapon in my backpack that allowed me to go straight from class, to work out, and then out to party, all in one day. Energy drinks.
A single energy drink can have you focusing like an A+ student in class without dozing off.
Let’s get started with a closer look at which energy drinks are best for students and why you should be drinking them.
What to look for in energy drinks?
- Caffeine
- Sugar
- Price & availability
Caffeine
Caffeine does a lot to keep you awake, increase your ability to focus, and elevate your mood.
I doubt any student would be unfamiliar with this fantastic ingredient.
When it comes to caffeine content, you’re free to choose between a high or a low amount, depending on your preference and tolerance.
In my opinion, between 50mg and 100mg of caffeine per drink is the perfect amount. I find any more than that to be a bit overpowering and it sometimes leaves me feeling unable to focus and nauseous.
But, get this, the FDA recommends less than 400mg of caffeine daily for the average healthy adult.
I cannot stress how much students should stick to the recommended limit.
After all, your best years are ahead of you, so why risk any of the potential negative side effects of too much caffeine?
So, it’s best that you take care of your health and keep an eye on your caffeine intake.
Sugar
Here’s another common ingredient in your energy drinks. And this one makes a great energy booster, even though it’s not good for your health.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a maximum daily sugar intake of 37.5g for men and 25g for women.
| Gender | Recommended daily intake of sugar by AHA (maximum) |
| Men | 150 kcal / 37.5g / 9 tsp |
| Women | 100 kcal / 25g / 6 tsp |
Consuming more than this limit may lead to many health issues.
In my opinion, you should usually choose sugar-free energy drinks or, if you have a very sweet tooth – try the ones with less sugar content.
However, you might want to keep an eye out for the added sugar, so that it doesn’t exceed the recommended daily limit.
Price & Availability
When it comes to energy drinks, there are plenty of good deals out there if you know where to find them. Paying more for a famous brand doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting better quality.
If you’re a student living on-campus, chances are there might be no 24-hour convenience store near your dorm.
So, it may be difficult to buy a can of your favorite energy drink whenever you feel like it.
One thing I did was to purchase my energy drinks online in bulk and stock up them in my room.
Buying in bulk saves a lot, and you can imagine what that does for your expenses.
Regarding price, everyone loves getting a good deal and no one likes paying more than they need to.
In fact, sometimes the opposite is true.
My absolute favorite energy drink is SUPER affordable, but more on that a little later on…
Can energy drinks help you study?
Yes, energy drinks can help you study.
But, only when you consume them in moderate amounts.
Energy drinks contain caffeine, the main component that helps you focus and increases your concentration.
And, in some energy drinks, there’s guarana too.
Guarana comes from South America, and is rich in a caffeine compound, by the name guaranine.
So, you can imagine how the combination of these ingredients can increase alertness and improve memory, especially for young adults.
A study on sleep-deprived volunteers proved that the effect of one energy shot can last up to 6 hours.
There’s also taurine, ginseng, B vitamins, carnitine, and other added ingredient in some energy drinks.
Thanks to these ingredients, energy drinks are proven to lower your perceived stress levels as a student.
So, if you plan to spend hours in the library before an important test, energy drinks might be worth considering.
And while energy drinks are a reliable friend, it’s more important that you develop good sleeping habits.
Energy drinks will only get you so far. Eventually, you’ll need a good night of sleep to function at your best again.
In fact, experts have pointed out that lack of quality sleep at night can affect your memory and mood.
So go get your beauty sleep yo!
What kind of food improves focus and concentration?
Here is a list of food that can improve your focus and concentration.
- Blueberries
Blueberries have been proven to boost concentration for up to five hours.
You have its antioxidants to thank for that, for the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain.
Personally, I love blueberries and eat at least a couple of handfuls every week.
- Avocados
Avocados are great for stimulating blood flow to the brain cells.
Not to mention, they’re rich in fiber, with about 11 to 17g per fruit. So, you won’t experience hunger pangs that can distract you from your task on hand.
- Leafy green vegetables
If you’re part of the majority who don’t fancy veggies, then, here’s a reason to start loving them.
Leafy green vegetables are probably the best brain food you’ll come across.
For a start, veggies are loaded with antioxidants and carotenoids. Those two boost your brainpower, and protect your brain.
You’ll find B vitamins that help you with overall brain health.
And, there’s also folic acid that enhances mental clarity.
The taste grows on your too. Although it doesn’t taste nice at the start, the more you have it, the more you like it.
Personally, I love the way eating healthy makes me feel and that’s why I do it.
- Flax seeds and nuts
Flax seeds and nuts are loaded with much-needed nutrients for your brain.
Flax seeds are high in fiber, magnesium, and B vitamins. It’s a superfood that helps with mental clarity, focus, and even weight loss.
Grind some flax seeds for easy digestion and sprinkle them on yogurt, oatmeal, or cereal.
Nuts are rich with antioxidant vitamin E and amino acids to aid your concentration. One ounce daily will do the trick.
Also, you can alternate your choices every day between almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts.
- Water
Boosting your focus and concentration doesn’t get any easier than drinking enough water.
A good supply of water makes you think faster and remember better. It also enhances your clarity and creativity.
As the saying goes, water is the elixir of life. It’s the most essential and basic need in everyone’s life.
- Dark chocolate
Now, here’s a treat during study breaks that you can enjoy.
Dark chocolate has a small amount of caffeine. As you know, caffeine instantly increases alertness.
It can also help to elevate your mood and a small dose per day is sufficient to boost your focus.
Which time is the best time for studying?
The best time for studying depends on the individual.
No two students are alike, and neither are their study habits.
So, the time and place to which a person can focus 100% are entirely up to their preference.
I’m a bit of a night owl, with more energy and focus in the late evenings.
On the other hand, my friend is a morning dude, who wakes up super early each morning with way too much energy for my liking.
Different things work for different people. Figure out what works best for you.
A study on the pace of people’s brain activity at different times of the day was conducted.
It notes that the brain is the sharpest in the morning after a good night’s rest and after a wholesome breakfast. Your brain will certainly be more alert and you’ll recall details better.
In the afternoons, the brain is good for integrating new information on previously acquired data.
So, you’ll be better at making connections between chunks of information and turning them into meaningful ideas after the midday sun.
At night, there’s less distraction and more peace. So, you can certainly focus better and recall information faster.
And while it’s hard, remember to get an average of 8 hours of sleep if possible.
I’ll say experimenting will help you to know whether you’re a day-studier or a night-studier.
Try studying at different times to see which works best for you.
How to increase my student energy?
Here are some strategies to increase your student energy.
- Exercise
- Maintain a sleep schedule
- Take a power nap
- Avoid junk food
- Smell peppermint
- Load on carbs
- Eat a small portion of meals
Perhaps on some days, your lecturer might have called you out for snoozing in class.
Or, on other days, you might have had to bail on plans with the gang to sleep in instead.
So, try out these tips and see if they work for you and improve your study efficiency.
Best Energy Drink for Students
Celsius Energy Drink
Over the years Celsius has won awards for health, innovation, and branding.
You’ll find 200mg of caffeine per serving, and yes, that’s a lot.
But, if you’re running extremely low on energy and need a pick-me-up instantly, a can every now and again might be just what you need.
Each serving adds just 10 calories to your diet.
It’s healthy in the sense that it’s sugar-free. So, you won’t experience any sugar crashes.
And even better, there are no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
One concern I have with Celsius is that the company really pushes the “healthy” angle when I’m not really convinced that Celsius is any healthier (or any worse) than any other energy drink.
If you want to read the full story about their marketing and why I think that, check out my other article where I break everything down piece by piece.
Red Bull
A regular can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine. It’s a sensible amount, and it won’t blow your head off like some of the stronger energy drinks out there might.
There are 110 calories in a can. So, you might have to consider that aspect if you’re on a low-calorie diet.
Red Bull has 27g of sugar. So, you’ll have to decide if you can make room for the sugar content in your meal plan while sticking to the AHA guidelines on how much sugar you should be limiting yourself to each day.
Red Bull is rich with B6 vitamins and comes in many different flavors. I love the refreshing, classic taste.
REIZE (the best option)
REIZE has been my favorite energy drink for a long time.
For someone who’s looking for a sensible amount of caffeine, REIZE is perfect with just 50mg of caffeine per serving.
You won’t have to worry about sugar crashes as the drink is sugar-free.
With a balanced energy level throughout the day, you can go about your daily routine as a student without feeling exhausted after a long day at school.
And, the additives in the drink are beneficial ingredients for students. With a combination of taurine, B vitamins, and ginseng, your brainpower is definitely in for a boost.
I always feel an increase in my alertness and concentration with a single glass of REIZE.
Here’s the best part yet: each serving only costs only around $1 and that INCLUDES shipping right to your doorstep, or dorm.
For a student, that means no more paying $3 or more for a single can at the nearest convenience store.
Try REIZE today and you might also find that it’s the best energy drink for students too.