The "Fun Drink" Epidemic

Hannah Nelson | Feature | April

  Lately it feels like every high school student has some kind of “fun drink” with them all the time. Not just water, but things like iced coffee, energy drinks, or any other fun, colorful drinks. If you walk through the halls in the morning you’ll see people carrying cans and reusable or plastic cups. It almost feels like part of the routine now.

   Some students might claim it helps them wake up before school. 89% of teenagers are tired in the morning because of homework, sports, or just staying up late, so getting a drink with caffeine seems like an easy solution. Others may just like having something to sip on during class, especially if it's sweet or flavored. 

   Coffee shops have become a hangout spot for students. Before school you’ll sometimes see groups of friends stopping to get drinks together. Drinks like coffee, refreshers, or energy drinks are really popular at the moment. Even gas stations sell tons of different drinks and students will grab them on the way to school.

   Not everyone thinks it's a great trend. Some parents might be concerned about how much caffeine their teenagers are actually drinking everyday. Energy drinks can have a lot more caffeine than people realize.

 Nevertheless, the “fun drink” habit doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon. For many students it’s just part of their daily routine, kind of like grabbing a snack or checking their phone. Whether it's coffee, an energy drink, or something fruity from a cafe, the trend keeps growing. Some people even try new drinks just because they see them on social media.

   Social media also plays a pretty big role in the whole thing. When new drinks come out, people post them on apps like TikTok or Instagram and suddenly everyone wants to try it. Sometimes students will order really specific drinks they have seen online, even if they don't actually know what’s in it.

   Another thing that might be interesting to look at is how much money students actually spend on these drinks every week, because it can add up really fast. Some drinks from coffee shops cost around five or six dollars, and if someone buys one almost everyday that’s a lot of money by the end of the month. Students most likely try not to think about it too much, they just like the routine of getting a drink before school.

   Some students also like the aesthetic of the drinks. Carrying around a colorful cup or a big reusable cup kind of became a trend by itself. It's almost like an accessory people bring to school, along with their backpack and phone. Even water bottles are sometimes decorated with stickers or different straws.

   However, there are still some downsides that people talk about. Drinking too much caffeine can make students feel shaky or make it harder to focus in class. Sometimes students are more hyper after drinking energy drinks, although not everyone wants to admit that. Spills also happen pretty often in hallways and classrooms which can be annoying for janitors and teachers.

   Even with those problems, the “fun drink” trend probably isn't going to disappear anytime soon. Whether it's coffee, an energy drink, or some fruity refresher, high school students seem to always have a drink in their hand. Since this may feel like the norm now, take a second to look around you and notice just how many people have a “fun drink".