"I'll take a tall caramel-hazelnut banana-cream frappuccino with a squirt of vanilla and an added double shot of espresso with extra whipped cream."
Sound familiar? A quick glance around the desks in an early morning class shows that many students are avid coffee drinkers.
Whether it's just to make it through an 8 a.m. lecture or to stay awake for an all-nighter at the library, coffee provides the jolt of caffeine students crave to get them through their day.
"My favorite drink is a raspberry mocha from Starbucks, because it's delicious and keeps me up late at night," said Mike Lewis, a senior business major.
However, Starbucks doesn't hold exclusive rights on coffee at UB - the Student Union, Perks (Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters), Tim Horton's and Dunkin' Donuts near South Campus, as well as automatic coffee machines are just a few places that students go to get their java fix.
Out of 50 students surveyed, 39 admitted to being coffee drinkers. Twenty-two of those said that they go to Starbucks, showing just how popular the Seattle-based chain is on campus.
"Starbucks is quick, has a good selection and also has the frozen coffee that I like," said Jenna Moenius, a senior psychology major.
With the smallest cup of coffee costing $1.50, going to Starbucks or other shops can become an expensive habit. Spending just that amount each day can add up to almost $11 a week, $42 a month, and over $540 a year. The money adds up even faster with more expensive refreshments. Frappuccinos, which can cost as much as $4.50, are one of the most expensive selections on the menu.
Jim Delorenzo, a senior sociology major, might just have the right idea.
"I drink the coffee I make at home," Delorenzo said. "It's convenient and cheap to make."
Making coffee at home is a budget-friendly way for students to get their daily dose, and allows for easier calorie control if fat free creamer substitutes are used. With a Wegman's Shoppers Club card, a 13 oz. package of Folgers costs $2.99 and makes enough coffee for about ten servings.
Not only can a fancy-coffee addiction take a toll on a student's wallet, it can also rack up tons of extra calories. A large mocha frappuccino has about 400 calories, and that's before adding any extras like whipped cream or a flavor shot.
Even worse in calorie department is Dairy Queen's caramel MooLatte - a large has a whopping 870 calories. That's more than a Big Mac, which totals about 560 calories.
Regular plain 'ole java is the best bet when keeping track of calories, but another factor to keep in mind when drinking is the addictive effects caffeine can have on the body.
"It's better to try and keep it under two caffeine drinks a day," said Anna Peryea, a representative from the Wellness Center on campus.
To make coffee a little healthier, Peryea recommends ordering a latte with fat free steamed milk for an added boost of calcium.
