Reminiscing on my first year here at Bing, I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to reconnect with some familiar faces while simultaneously meeting new individuals. Whether it’s indulging in late-night munchies within the heart of Bartle or trekking through downtown Binghamton in the pouring rain. I hold each memory near and dear, capturing the rush of exhilaration within my photo gallery. Nevertheless, my lasting impression of freshman year centers on my relationship with my first campus love: caffeine.
I was first introduced to the refreshing, citrusy taste of Sparkling Orange Celsius last semester when entering finals week. There, I powered through each and every final with a Celsius in hand. Shotgunning one right before my Microeconomics final was such a humbling yet rejuvenating experience. Was I shaking throughout the entire final? Absolutely. But was it worth it? Of course; I ate that final up. But who would have thought that my newfound love for this sparkling can would become my biggest heartbreak going into the second semester?
Consuming can after can of energy drinks took quite a toll on me. Whether it was attempting to wake up in time for my 8 a.m. class or just not feeling energized enough, I felt the need to crack a can open when I needed that extra strength to power through the day. Some may call this love for caffeine an “addiction,” but who could resist a compact can of sunshine waiting to be opened up? Although I did enjoy chugging at least one per day, my dear old friend Celsius started to taste a lot more … rancid. Never in my life would I have expected my trusted energy drink to taste so much like battery acid. That was my first deep dive into the trials and horrors of betrayal at the hands of my go-to drink, so it was time for a change.
Stepping into Walmart, I was determined to find the next best energy drink. Not only did each drink need to have a sufficient amount of caffeine, but it also needed a solid flavor. That’s when I found MY holy grail, all the way at the back of the store — a whole pack of Monster Ultra Strawberry Dreams. True to its name, the drink tasted like a strawberries and cream paradise, which reignited my caffeinated mind. Throughout the entire second semester, I would never be seen without my fluorescent pink aluminum can topped with my handy magenta straw. My Monster cans have been with me through thick and thin, following me through my travels of pulling all-nighters while keeping me energized through my classes.
But alas, all good things have to come to an end. As my consumption and reliance on the sparkling pink drink grew, the effects started to dwindle. Dazed and confused, I knew there was only one option left: to cut off my relationship with caffeine.
As I sit here reflecting back on the events of the past, I think about the impact caffeine has had on my life this past semester. It has been with me through my highs and lows and given me a helping hand when I needed it the most. Cutting myself off from caffeine has been tough. Though I no longer have to resist the temptation to open another can, the actions I carry out each day have significantly slowed down. Now that I’ve steadily been recuperating from my caffeine detox, I stand strong with the knowledge that I’ve survived through my caffeine blues.
Lauren Jim
General Intern
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