Students at Stellenbosch University (SU) find themselves in the middle of the June/July exam season. With enormous amounts of academic material to study or tight deadlines to complete projects, it is no secret that many students rely heavily on coffee or other caffeinated energy drinks to help them study for longer or to simply keep them awake to complete assignments.
“With regards to massive coffee consumption during exam time a lot of people seem to think that we sell a lot more, we actually don’t. Our sales are down. I know it’s hard to believe.” said Freddie Kruger, owner of the My Brew Coffee Roastery a widely popular coffee shop located in the Neelsie student centre.
A takeaway cup of coffee from the very popular My Brew Coffee Roastery in the Neelsie. PHOTO: My Brew Roastery Facebook page.
“We have to be open longer, to have the same turnover. We are open from 07:00 to 21:00 but we have extended that during the exam periods to 22:00,” said Kruger.
“Contrary to popular believe coffee is very healthy for you. Two to four [cups] is seen as average use. If you stay within those limits, it should be fine.
“It’s a well-known fact that coffee actually makes you calm. Yes, it enhances certain abilities, makes you more alert, but it actually calms you down so it helps for anxiety,” said Kruger.
It is, however, important to note that although coffee can have many health benefits, such as lowering stress, working as a mild anti-depressant and improving focus and memory retention it can also be very harmful to your body when consumed in large doses.
“I think for people who don’t drink coffee drinking two cups might have an effect on you. Coffee is one of the only drinks that can both fix and break you at the same time,” said Kruger.
Kruger also explained that although their overall sales are down he has observed an increase in the amount of coffee consumed by individuals: “I normally drink around four cups of coffee a day but now during the exams, I am probably drinking around six cups daily. I need it to stay awake for longer to get through all my work.” said Jan-Beyers Jonker (23) a BCom Accounting Honours student at SU.
“I have not felt any side effects really, I am just a bit restless at night,” said Jonker.
The garbage disposal bins outside the Stellenbosch University Library are pack to the brim with takeaway coffee cups. PHOTO: Casey Delport
“I usually drink about two cups of coffee a day but now with exams, I am drinking more, maybe three to four cups. I have not felt any side effects,” said Diana Allers (22) a final year BCom Management Sciences at SU.
“There might be some out there who are so stressed, and so far behind that, they think dumping four cups is going to fix it, it is going to make things worse. Rather consume it over the next 12 or 24 hours,” said Kruger.
So, remember to treat yourself to some coffee during the exams, not only will it help for that early morning study session, but when consumed in moderation it may even be good for your health.
INFOGRAPHIC: Casey Delport