As college students, we all do what we have to do to survive the rigorous demands imposed on us, both financially and academically. Whether it is balancing five classes and a part time job, working on a senior project, or just trying to stay awake in a lecture that could put an insomniac to sleep, there is one thing that has kept me going the whole time. There is one thing that gives me wings and elevates my performance in and out of the classroom.
Indeed, Red Bull has been my crutch the past few semesters. Maybe it is psychological, but Red Bull not only gives me energy and puts me in a great mood; It also enhances my writing, as I am sure you can tell.
I have at least three to five cans of Red Bull a week. Most times, I take my 8.3-ounce sugar free can with me to class and try and pace myself for the long haul. Then, again, sometimes I will pound it in a few large gulps that makes my eyes water for a second followed by a boost of instant adrenaline.
I am going to go out on a limb and say that Red Bull is solely responsible for my GPA being where it is. I cannot recall how many late nights I have sat in front of my laptop at home working on a project, research paper or column that was due the next day with a Red Bull by my side. And it was times like this that I only got three hours sleep only to resort to a local convenience store to keep me awake in class.
Red Bull has even gotten me out of my occasional writer’s block. Writer’s block happens when you find yourself sitting in front of a blank screen, aimlessly searching for the perfect words to convey what you think you want to say or what you think needs to be said. We have all been there, and for me, Red Bull has been the catalyst for my speedy recovery. Red Bull does to my schoolwork what steroids did to the pitches Barry Bonds sent out of major league ballparks the last few years of his career.
I have drunk Red Bull right before I went to the gym, on the way to job interviews, on the way to church, and before I head to family functions.
It is hard to imagine what people did before Red Bull came out. I guess coffee was the thing to drink for energy back in the day. Students should feel fortunate that we have an alternative with few calories, zero carbohydrates, does not affect the color of our teeth and does not give us bad breath.
Oh, and trust me; I have heard all more scary stories than I can take. I am sure you have too, right? You know— the ones about how your friend’s friend drank three cans a day until one day his heart began pounding and racing and he had to go to the emergency room.
Well, maybe I am a lucky guy, or my day has yet to come, but drinking Red Bull has given me the edge to stay up late, wake up early, get more work done during the day and increase my productivity.
Yes, I know it is bad for me, but in a world where performance matters, why not get more out of life? Besides as far as I know, Red Bull is not as bad as smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or coffee. Then again, 70 years ago cigarettes were advertised as being cool and safe. Either way, people will drink Red Bull at their own risk. And until a serious health factor is announced, I will remain an avid consumer of Red Bull.
Richard Lugo, a senior communications major, is sports editor of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at richard.lugo@laverne.edu.
