Sunday, October 21, 2012

Coffee Shops at Arizona State University



Coffee is considered a staple in the diets of many Americans and to most it is necessary for waking up and getting through a day. Coffee is so widely consumed that, “Nearly 90% of adults ingest caffeine every day” (Fitzpatrick, “The Newest Addictions on Campus”). Whether the caffeine is consumed in the form of coffee, tea, energy drinks or even sodas, the rate of caffeine consumption is overwhelming. College students are not immune to these statistics. It is a known fact that college students get very little sleep, especially if they are a full time student who is also involved on campus, possibly has a job, and maintains a social life. With so much going on in a college students’ life it is almost impossible to get a full nights sleep. And what are these exhausted students supposed to do in order to stay awake in lectures and exams? Caffeine must be the answer. Now is caffeine an adequate solution to the lack of sleep these students are getting each night? It certainly is helpful in keeping students awake and alert, and it is ultimately a positive part of life on the Arizona State Campus. 
            In order to evaluate the use of caffeine on the Arizona State Campus I have visited the coffee shops around campus, as well as observing and analyzing the use of caffeine on campus. As a regular coffee drinker, I have visited many coffee shops in many different places. However, by far college campuses are the places with the most coffee shops and the amount of people purchasing coffee in a single place. At all times of the day it can be observed that there are long lines of tired college students waiting for their daily dose of caffeine. The evaluation is not only based on the amount of people who are seen at these coffee shops, but based on how the caffeine in these drinks effects a person in a non-natural way, “by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, caffeine magnifies the adrenaline response in the body” (Fitzpatrick, “The Newest Addictions on Campus”). However, despite these effects of caffeine on people, it still aids students in waking up and focusing. The evaluation, in total, is based on the criteria of accessibility, use, effects, and dependability of caffeine on college students, specifically at Arizona State University.
At Arizona State University one can find a place to buy a caffeinated beverage almost anywhere. From Starbucks to Einstein Bros. caffeine is anywhere and everywhere on campus. There must somehow be a connection between the amount of caffeine in which students consume and the amount of sleep students are getting. Also, it is possible that students are addicted to caffeine and that is why ASU has built so many coffee shops, with such easy access, in such a small area. Even though  caffeine is creating an addiction in the students on campus, it is still a helpful way for the tired students to stay awake and alert, and ultimately get to class.
Studies show that type A students are more prone to sleeping problems than those who are type B personalities. Also, the caffeine intake of the type A students is up to 50 percent more than that of type B personalities. (Hicks, Kilcourse, Sinnott, 338). This shows how important caffeine use is to college students. The students who are using caffeine as a source of fuel to get through the day are using it because of their lack of sleep. Caffeine is considered a type of drug because of the way it effects the body in mood and state (Alters 113).  This explains how college students are using caffeine as a drug, which means that it is possible that they are addicted to the caffeine. This would be a good reason for the school to put in multiple coffee shops. When walking by a abundance of coffee shops one will smell the ground coffee beans and it almost lures one in. The place where this is most evident is in the Memorial Union. One passes Starbucks and Einstein Bros and on the way out one passes the Starbucks in the BAC building. In a matter of less than five minutes students are exposed to three coffee shops.
The ironic relaxation of a coffee shop and rush one gets from the caffeine consumed from coffee or tea is evident. The shops all do a good job of working quickly for students to get their fix while on their way to class. The common student may stop to get a coffee before class in order to stay awake during a long class or lecture. The coffee shops located almost everywhere around campus surely accomplish this. One can simply walk into the shop, order, pay, and receive their drink in a matter of minutes, almost anytime during the day. Because students are so addicted and essentially need to have their caffeine everyday, the shops around school do an excellent job in providing this. Although they are also basically feeding the students addiction, if the students did not have their caffeine would they even be able to function throughout the day. So, while helping students the coffee shops are also charging large amounts of money for something that is basically essential for the well being of students.
Of all the coffee shops and stores around campus there are five coffee shops and two convenience stores, which also have coffee machines. Coffee shops around campus provide students with the caffeine needed for them to get through the day and be focused. They provide a necessity for many and in a timely manner. Ultimately, the use of caffeine on campus is a helpful way for students to stay awake and to get stuff done. For students who depend on caffeine, it is essential for them to get their daily fix. While the caffeine may have addictive qualities, it is all together a necessary and good thing for students to have in order to not sleep through lectures and be awake throughout the day. 
Works Cited