If you have ever endured finals week in college, you know that coffee, or some alternative source of caffeine, is a must-have. After countless assignments, late nights, and stress, finals week is truly the last leg of the semester-long marathon that all students are running, or maybe even sprinting (if we’ve pumped ourselves full of enough artificial energy). There are countless reasons why drinking coffee is one of the most essential things to do during finals, other than studying of course, but here are just four of the more important reasons.

First, coffee gives you the energy you need to get through the last week. We all need that little boost just to power through one more week. It’s okay that we put off sleep and rely solely on caffeine to keep us moving because we are finally going to get a chance to crash, and we won’t have to worry about any impending due dates while we do so. Even if you’re beyond sleep deprived, you get to rest and recover over the entirety of Christmas Break, so order that extra latte if you need it.

It’s wintertime, so it’s most likely cold during finals week, and you need coffee to help you stay warm. First semester finals typically bring out the bleakest of weather, and the late night trips back and forth to the library can leave your hands so frozen that you can barely grip your pencil. Not only will drinking coffee keep you feeling warmer, but also carrying a hot cup of coffee is guaranteed to keep your hands warmer than the best pair of gloves. I’m pretty sure coffee can even warm your soul.

Drinking coffee while taking an exam can help you stay awake and focused. One of the benefits of caffeine is the feeling of being more alert to the task at hand. Whether this be studying or actually taking your final exam, drinking coffee will help you focus on what is right in front of you, which should hopefully increase your overall performance on these last and most important tests of the entire semester. It definitely can’t hurt!

Coffee is just delicious. Forget all of the previously listed reasons. Coffee tastes good enough to drink whether you really need to or not. What better reason do you need for drinking coffee during finals than spoiling yourself with a yummy treat?

While coffee can be a very useful addition to your finals week for a number of reasons, you cannot fully rely on it. Sleep is still very important if you want to be successful with your exams, so do not neglect that helpful element. While it is virtually impossible to get as much sleep as you normally would, every little bit helps, and a short nap can go a long way in terms of making you feel more rested. Best of luck on your finals, and cheers to coffee!