Here’s How Coffee Helps You Study

Caffeinate so you don’t procrastinate.

Studying can sometimes get really hard, especially when you start to lose concentration and motivation.

Many of us turn to coffee when we need a pick up or to help with our studies, and lucky for us, 1 October is International Coffee Day. So, if you were looking for an excuse for another cup of joe, here it is.

Aside from being one of the world’s favourite breakfast drinks, coffee has a tonne of helpful benefits when it comes to concentration and mental performance due its naturally occurring caffeine content, which is a mild stimulant.

Coffee is also rich in vitamin B2, or riboflavin, and magnesium as well as polyphenols which are plant micronutrients that are packed with antioxidants.

According to Harvard Medical School, the caffeine in coffee stimulates your brain but it also blocks the receptors for a chemical called adenosine, which normally prevents excitatory brain chemicals from being released. When caffeine blocks adenosine, stimulatory chemicals enter the brain more easily, which is what gives you the rush of energy and better mental performance.

According to Nestle, coffee can increase your focus and concentration, which is super important when cramming for a test or finishing up that essay. With a little bit of coffee, your studying may be more productive.

Your short term memory may also see some benefits. Caffeine helps you to remain alert and reduces the effects of fatigue or tiredness, ultimately helping you to retain more information in your short term memory that you’ll need for your exam.

Because coffee promotes alertness, it also helps you study for longer periods of time. If you want to fit in a big day of studying without boredom or fatigue getting in the way, maybe try a cup of coffee, just make sure not to overdo it, sleep is just as important.   

Surprisingly, coffee can also help you love to study. Well not love it, perhaps, but it may improve your mood and therefore make the studying process a little more enjoyable.

While coffee is the greatest and I’m sure we all want to spend today channelling our inner Emma Chamberlain, it is super important to remember that coffee is only going to help you if you also make the effort with your sleep, exercise and diet.

happy international coffee day. today is very important to me & it might as well be my bday. so make sure to wish me a happy bday

— emma (@emmachamberlain) September 29, 2020

If you overdo it with caffeine you may actually find that you get the opposite effect on your concentration and mental performance, and, let’s be honest, getting energy from healthy food and a good night’s sleep is probably way better for you.

In general, stick to about one to two cups of coffee per day and remember to take short breaks in between work and study to give you the best results.

Header Image: Alina Rosanova via Getty Images