Being a college student has made me rely on coffee on a completely new level. When I was in high school, it was the occasional run to caribou for a Cooler when classes started later. Nowadays, its like I can’t function without it. You become a regular at the coffee shop, you have that special drink that you have mastered the perfect taste, or you stock up on K-cups every time you go to the store. Chances are, if you do any of these things, you are addicted to coffee and there is no shame in that.

1. The barista knows your name and order.

And yes, they do know how to spell your name correctly. They also know that you want 1 pump of sweetner or extra caramel in that iced coffee of yours.

2. You have perfected the ratio of cream and sugar in your coffee.

Do you prefer the double double (2 creams and 2 sugars) ? Or do you prefer more creamer than coffee in that cup.

3. You can drink coffee at any point of the day and feel perfectly fine.

I can drink coffee at 10pm and still crash by midnight. It gets me up in the morning, but when im tired, there is nothing stopping me from crawling into bed.

4. When you wake up, that cup of coffee is the only thing you are thinking about.

Yes, I do have a sign that says, “I gotta wake up, my coffee needs me.” And yes, that is true everyday I wake up.

5. The first thing you do when you travel is look for coffee shops, both local and chains.

Trust me, I am beyond useless without a cup of coffee in me. If we have an early meeting or an early flight, I guarantee you that I will show up with a cup of coffee in my hand.

6. You have the perfect drink.

“I’ll take a hazelnut soy latte, no whip, and make sure that’s extra hot please.” I mean come on, chances are, you’ve tried every drink out there and finally know just want gets you moving.

7. Iced coffee, hot coffee, blended, anything with coffee is all you really care about.

Please just have espresso. Please. I need that.

8. You plan extra time in your day to get coffee.

Oh, I have a half hour break between classes? Perfect amount of time to get a cup of coffee to keep me going.

9. Coffee dates are your idea of a perfect first date.

There is something to be said about the environment and the peacefulness of a coffee shop that makes it perfect for that quality time with someone.

10. You question if you should invest in an IV for coffee.

I mean, I don’t know how I’m still functioning. I need coffee at all times of the day at this point. The caffeine headaches are real.

11. Most of your paycheck is spent on coffee.

I think my mother hates how much I spend on coffee, but I don’t think she realizes that I can’t survive without it. Besides, someone has to keep those companies in business, obviously I volunteer as tribute.