“America runs on Dunkin” is one of the most popular slogans in the country these days. It is easy to see why; according to LiveScience.com, over 50 percent of Americans over the age of 18 drink at least one cup of coffee a day.
Coffee is even prevalent among college students. According to the National Coffee Association, 40 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 24 drink coffee, and I am a proud member of that club.
Coffee has helped me get through my days, manage my schedule and stay on top of, well, most things. As my advisor, Dr. Beth Knobel, associate professor in the communication department, jokes with me often: “you are one of my students who does not sleep.”
I am a proud caffeine addict, one who cannot skip my daily cup of coffee without dealing with an insufferable headache. The Fordham Ram actually began the addiction way back during my freshman year when I would stay in the office editing pages until 3 a.m., return home, “go to sleep” and then get up to intern the next morning at 6 a.m. I began consuming about four cups a day to function, which is about as much as I drink still. Now my 3 a.m. alarm for my internship requires a bare minimum of two cups before 7 a.m. to start my day.
However, I would not change a minute of it because I have to say, coffee is delicious. First, there are the flavors. My personal favorite is French vanilla in its many shapes and forms, especially from Dunkin’. There are an infinite number to try, including traditional ones such as hazelnut and caramel or the more adventurous flavors, such as mocha or blueberry. Then there is always the choice between the hot and iced, which depends on the day. From spring to fall, iced runs king, while in the winter there is nothing better than waking up to a fresh mug of steaming coffee to drink while getting ready.
There also is the social aspect. A coffee shop is the simplest meeting place for friends, a date or your boss. Going down to grab coffee at the local Starbucks or café is a daily routine for co-workers and the best place to meet someone to talk. There is no need to worry about meeting someone at a bar and getting too drunk— there is coffee instead. To me, it is the perfect social environment. There is low background noise that creates a hum perfect for intimate conversation or even studying. Back in the days of Empire State Café at Fordham, there was no better place to study with an iced coffee in hand.
People argue that caffeine and its addictive powers can be problematic, but I think that for young adults, it is a necessity. For students, it is a great way to prevent the embarrassment of nodding off in class and it allows us to be able to juggle internships, school and extracurricular activities with ease…unless that is just the caffeine talking.
