By Sarina Tejani | Reporter
As finals season approaches, many Baylor students find themselves reaching for energy drinks, caffeine pills and other stimulants to stay awake and focused during long study sessions. The pressure to perform — combined with late nights and deadlines to meet — often leads students to seek a quick boost to keep them going.
For Dallas junior Shayan Madhani, energy drinks were a staple during November and December.
“I was drinking energy drinks every day just to keep up with all the late-night studying,” he said. “It was hard to stay up so I felt like I needed that extra boost.”
Over time, though, Madhani said he began to notice the impact it had on his body and energy levels.
“As I got older, I started to see how bad this was for my body,” he said. “I wasn’t getting real rest, and I could feel the effects catching up with me.”
This finals season Madhani is taking a different approach, adjusting his schedule to avoid the need for late-night energy boosts.
“These days I wake up early and try to get my homework and studying done during the day, so I can get a good night’s rest,” Madhani said.
Chris Asikis, a staff clinician at Baylor’s Counseling Center, said many students turn to caffeine and energy drinks to keep up with the demands of finals and hope it will improve their productivity and focus.
“Students often think caffeine will help them study better or stay more alert, but they may not fully understand the potential risks,” he said.
According to Asikis, these risks can include dependence, heightened anxiety and poor sleep quality.
“Caffeine has a long half-life, so even if you drink it earlier in the day, it can affect your sleep at night,” he said. “Lack of sleep can make it harder to focus the next day, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.”
Asikis said long-term reliance on stimulants like caffeine can have lasting impacts. Over time, students may develop a tolerance, needing higher doses to achieve the same effects.
“When caffeine use becomes excessive, withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability and fatigue can occur when you stop,” he said. “These effects can make it even harder to manage stress during finals.”
Asikis said students should focus on self-care practices to maintain their energy and manage stress in healthier ways.
“Regular sleep, balanced meals and physical activity can make a huge difference,” he said. “Instead of relying on energy drinks, students might try switching to lower-caffeine options like tea and avoid caffeine after noon for better sleep.”
Asikis encouraged students to reflect on their habits and seek support if they find themselves struggling to maintain balance.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure, but sometimes it’s about taking small steps to prioritize your well-being,” he said.
For students who need help managing stress and energy levels, the Counseling Center offers resources and strategies tailored to the unique challenges of finals week.
“We’re here to help students find ways to manage their energy without putting too much strain on their bodies,” Asikis said.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has research that supports Asikis’s statements, such as too much caffeine can cause heart problems, like an irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warns that energy drinks can lead to dehydration, heart issues, anxiety and trouble sleeping.
By understanding the long-term impacts of stimulants like caffeine and exploring healthier alternatives, students can take steps toward managing finals with a focus on both their performance and well-being.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure, but sometimes it’s about taking small steps to prioritize [your] well-being,” Asikis said. “We’re here to help students find ways to manage their energy without putting too much strain on their bodies.”
