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I bring this up, because it’s that time of term again: exam time. Only this time, the pressure’s properly on, given that for many students, these are pretty important exams they’re taking. And as a result, I’ve begun to notice an interesting increase of empty Relentless and Red Bull cans, alongside drained bottles Lucozade and Powerade.
A friend of mine in Sixth Form seemed to drink at least two cans of cheap 37p energy drink a day. Every day. Now, when I was at school, I thought he was weird – but here at university, the practice seems to be a lot more commonplace. It’s a lot more acceptable to be seen swigging from a can of Red Bull at any hour of the day; despite the fact that regular drinkers may suffer from “severe psychotic states” that will actually decrease concentration and result in lack of focus – the reason for drinking it in the first place.
Yet, after some research, I have to admit I’m pretty impressed with Relentless. While Red Bull has been subject to bans in Norway, Denmark and France (subsequently lifted or partially lifted), the Relentless cans have quotes from Wordsworth and Byron on them. You have to admit that’s classy advertising. I’m not sure Wordsworth would have approved, but maybe Bryon would have embraced a drink that would have given him a bit more energy and speeded up his problematic metabolism.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with energy drinks, providing they’re used for their intended purpose, and not used overly. Energy drinks, especially Lucozade and Powerade, were designed (in the words from the Powerade website) “by sports people, for sports people”: therefore, I think they’re fantastic for helping sports people to keep their glucose levels up when training.
On the other hand, being used as a crutch by a sleep-deprived student trying to pull an all-nighter probably isn’t the best use. Yet, I reckon that on university campuses, this is the main use of such drinks. On purchasing a pint can of Red Bull the day before he had to hand in an essay, a friend of mine received some friendly advice from the girl at the checkout: open it at 3am, and it’ll see you through. Once or twice, and this is fine: but when it gets to be a habit: that’s not so good.
Saying that, drinking these energy drinks may save students a considerable amount of money, and lost memories in other areas. I mean, of course, on a night out. A friend of mine has discovered that if she drinks a pint can of Red Bull before going out, she is hyped up enough to not even want to drink when she’s out. This means she can dance and have a good time, without the loss of coordination and self-control that often leads us to make fools of ourselves - and still be able to remember it in the morning.
Let’s face it, students are never going to ascribe to regular sleeping patterns and eat three square nutritious meals a day. And given the amount of students that may wish to drown their sorrows after a not-so-great exam or essay, maybe it’s better to be hyper on energy drinks whilst writing or revising, in order to avoid that pit of drunken despair that you could get without the assistance of energy drinks in the lead up to assessment. I think it’s safe to say that energy drinks are an essential part of the student life now, for better or for worse.
Maybe energy drinks are the lesser of two evils?
On the memory and the purse at least.
Coffee and bananas are a comparatively healthier alternative to energy drinks. They keep you going for longer and the come down isn't as bad. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also a good way of staying alert during the day. That said, the occasional Relentless can be a God-send during exam week.
Never having tried energy drinks myself, I've never really seen the appeal. But having poetry on the cans is absolute genius!
Another well written blog. At least TheYorker isn't all sex-filled rubbish.
I've never tried them; I fear the comedown too much to be honest. But I am an avid tea and coffee drinker.
Don't drink too much relentless! It'll give you the jitters!
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