I hate to admit it, I don’t want it to be true, but finals week is upon us. 

Late nights cramming for exams, writing illiterate nonsense essays and study groups that don’t actually study. 

We’ve wished for this moment since the beginning of the semester, and yet, all we want is more time to finish assignments and study for our exams. 

How can you maximize and utilize every minute before that final? Maybe you have already found your liquid gold, the outrageous dosage of caffeine, but if you’re in need of something new to try this week, here are a few of my favorite energy drinks for those late study nights. 

C4 Orange Slice

If you need a pre-workout and an optimal energy drink, C4 is for you. If you like feeling jittery and pumped, C4 gives you the right amount of both. 

I prefer the orange flavor, but they also have flavors like frozen bombsicle (tastes exactly like the popsicle), strawberry watermelon ice and midnight cherry. 

Celsius Wild Berry

12 ounces with 200mg of caffeine. That’s unheard of. It’s powerful, but also refreshing. I prefer drinking one in the morning. Celsius doesn’t taste like your average energy drink, it doesn’t have the chemical-like taste that Monster or Redbull are known for. 

If you need a pick-me-up after a late night studying, this is a must have during finals week.

Monster Zero Ultra (White one)

It’s a classic energy staple. Really, you can’t go wrong with any flavor, but obviously, the white one is the best. 

I remember my energy drink awakening like it was yesterday. Finals week of 2019, I drank my first monster. I thought I was going to die from the heart-racing intensity Monster brings to your study sessions. 

Bang Lemon Drop

If you want an energy drink that works and is also nostalgic, Bang Lemon Drop is the way to go. I kid you not, the lemon drop flavor tastes like Sunny D. If you’re feeling guilty for drinking an energy drink (…well don’t, it’s finals week) just think of it as drinking a super caffeinated and carbonated Sunny D. 

I love all Bang flavors, but this one tops the list. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.

Redbull Kiwi Apple

Hot take – regular Redbull tastes like battery acid. The only time I will drink an original flavor Redbull is out of pure desperation. Kiwi Apple on the other hand… is phenomenal. The flavor is light and thirst-quenching. 

114mg of caffeine is just enough to keep you going late at night. If you don’t pull an all-nighter, drinking a Kiwi Apple will still allow you to sleep, unlike the other energy drinks listed. 

Not to sound like a concerned parent, but do be careful this upcoming week with your caffeine intake. Too much caffeine is bad for you. Your wellbeing always comes first to grades, don’t forget that.

Commentary writer Rose Donnelly can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @RoseDonnelly_