If we could plot a graph of coffee consumption in NUS over a semester, we would definitely see spikes in coffee intake during reading and finals weeks. Most university students need some form of caffeine, typically coffee, to keep them awake and productive. In this week’s blog post, the NUS Res Life team will share our coffee fun-facts and tips!
- Fun facts about coffee
You don’t actually need coffee first thing in the morning! Your body produces a hormone called cortisol that helps you feel awake. This is released according to your circadian rhythm which is dictated by the time of the day. Instead, you should wait a little longer after waking up before having your daily dose of coffee, to ensure that you don’t overdose on the amount of caffeine you need (which can lead to an energy crash later on).
Source: Residential Life
Once you down some caffeine, you’ll realise that it works quickly – it only takes about ten minutes to start feeling the effects. It is indeed a quick pick-me-up when we reach a lull in revision.
Source: Residential Life
There are many many ways of ordering coffee in Singapore. Have you tried them all? What are your favourites?
Source: http://thesmartlocal.com/images/easyblog_images/82/kopitabao.jpg
- Coffee spots in NUS
The Coffee Roaster at AS8, Humble Origins at AS2, and Butter My Buns at UTown are decent coffee places to try out in NUS if you are not a fan of Starbucks. Cheaper options are also available at all NUS food courts. A nice cold Kopi Peng will be the midday treat you need while studying for finals. If Kopi Peng is not your thing, refer to the chart above to order your heart’s desire! Any food court worth their salt should have all the options above available.
Source: Residential Life
If you think that you’re spending too much money on coffee, you can also choose to brew it yourself. There are tons of instant coffee available at all supermarkets, selling for cheap!
- Coffee spots near NUS
If you’re tired of studying in school and need a change of environment, studying in cafes is always an option – some light background noise may just be what you need. Starbucks at Rochester Mall or The Metropolis, D’good Café at Holland Village, Jimmy Monkey Café, and Revolution Coffee are places you can head to for a cup of coffee while studying. These cafes offer WiFi too, so fret not!
Source: Residential Life
- Alternatives for coffee
If you dislike the taste of coffee, or if coffee causes negative side effects for you, such as eye-twitching, try tea instead! You can always brew your own, or opt for Teh (tea with milk), again available at all NUS food courts. Our recommended Teh is from Koufu at UTown because the tea is exceptionally strong!
Source: https://tealadymel.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/teh-tarik.jpg
All that said, relying on coffee as your source of energy is not the best idea (although ironically this is a coffee post). To be in the best mental state for revision and exams, remember to have sufficient sleep (7 hours is ideal!), eat healthily, and squeeze in some exercise. Even 10 minutes of light yoga can make all the difference!
Stress levels are running high during this exam season and there is certainly much to study… But remember, we’ve always gotten through it, and we are going to get through it this time as well. All the best in your revision – we are almost at the end of the semester, so don’t give up now! In the meantime, we hope that this post has given you some quick ideas on refuelling. Are you an avid coffee drinker or do you prefer tea/water/other beverages? Let us know in the comments!
