In a fresh nationwide survey conducted by Grand Canyon University, an overwhelming 95% of college students report consuming caffeine in some form. The study finds that one in four students (25%) say they simply can’t function without caffeine, proving just how embedded these habits have become in daily academic life.

Among the 95% who consume caffeine, 47% say coffee is their preferred source, followed by 25% relying on energy drinks, 13% on soda, and 8% on tea. Notably, students aged 25 and older are the most loyal coffee drinkers (52%), while younger students (ages 18 and 19) lean more toward energy drinks (26%).

With mental-health concerns, study-load pressures, and 24/7 connectivity on the rise, that dependence, paired with the 95% consumption rate, points to a broader issue: are students powering their way through college, or running on borrowed alertness?

As finals season gets serious and students spend hours upon hours in the library, hopefully, they get some good old-fashioned sleep too.