Kaiser Gatsby

You're going to be living on your own, and you can't even figure out how to concoct a common beverage which to you is an "acquired taste." Get some sense of confidence and individualism, there is no such thing as a beginner coffee drinker. Don't waste your money regularly on Starbucks or McDonalds overpriced coffee. Making your own is far cheaper, and often better.

I started drinking coffee when I was 15, and had to wake up at 5:00 AM for drivers ed. 8:00 AM classes going to be hard? How did you get through high school? Waking up early toughened us up, don't give it away just so you can be like every other lazy student out there. 8:00 AM is nothing. Half the energy you will get from coffee is a placebo effect. Caffeine is a drug, although a mild one. If you start drinking it regularly, you won't get any stimulating effect, just a washing away of the lethargic withdrawal symptoms.

The only thing I regret, is not starting it black. Don't use creams, don't join the crowd of morons that can't drink a beverage that isn't watered down and saturated in sugar. Really, I plan on going a couple weeks without caffeine, that way when I need a one time energy hit, coffee will do it. Don't blow away the stimulating effects of caffeine because you don't have the self discipline and drive to handle an 8:00 AM class.

WastedxYears

Drink monster

Senior0991

POM has a nice iced-coffee-chocolate drink. They didn't keep me awake that well, but they tasted really good. Not addicted to coffee though either.

POMX ICED COFFEE CHOCOLATE 12 CASE 10.5 OUNCE

uyulove

I drink americano these days... I drank so much coffee that I really appreciate americano's flavor now! But yeah start off with lattes, sweet stuff and dial back... Usually at work I just drink drip brew black coffee straight or with dash or milk (soy, real milk, almond milk, etc)

bagelsbagels

the question makes me lol

cross0328

ok, usually the good coffee is more expensive, but less bitter. i slowly started drinking coffee. at first i drank like mochas and other things like that and got used to the taste of coffee.
at school we could make coffee, and the coffee my friend made was pretty bad (but no one else wanted to come in early to make it), so i used creamer at school. hazelnut is pretty good and covers up the taste the best (i've always heard it covers the taste of coffee well).
coffee really is an acquired taste kinda. so if u really wanna be able to drink coffee without getting used to it slowly, buy nice coffee (although expensive isnt always better the best coffee ive had was) and hazelnut creamer. try to learn how to make it well, i dont know how really but i know it makes a difference. i dont plan on buying good coffee, ill just buy cheap stuff, but it is better

bagelsbagels

this chick taught me how to make the best coffee..... yeah.... it was hot

alamode

the easiest way to start would be some sort of frappuchino, then cappuchino, then latte, then coffee with lots of cream and sugar, and lessen the cream/sugar as you get used to it

repaired

There are two approaches. One is to start with a lot of milk (soy/rice/almond if you're veg) so you can adjust to the bitter taste. Sugar is ok too, but it won't make things any easier on your stomach since it doesn't dilute the coffee.

What I think is the better approach is to start off fightin', only let yourself drink black coffee until you like it, then figure out what you take with it. I did this and I think it made me a better lifelong coffee appreciator, since I was introduced to the drink itself, even though I now use some soy.

The most important thing is to start with good coffee. It's best to make your own. You can get a small French press for cheap ($15 -- it's that glass tube with a screen on a plunger). Throw in a couple tbsp of ground coffee (anything a step up from grocery store brand will do; I drink Dunkin'), fill with off-boiling water, stir, let sit for 4 min, press down the screen, enjoy. Definitely err on the side of too much coffee grounds. Contrary to popular assumptions, weak coffee is much harder to love, because the individual grounds are more steeped, and release more bitter, acidic taste, which is also harder on your stomach.

Starbucks or another coffee specialty place is also a good bet. 7-11, or even Dunkin' stores, not so much. They tend to leave pots on the burner for a long time, so you get burned coffee that tastes terrible.

If that all is overwhelming, try tea

PlattsburghLoser

I've seen some bizarre "How on Earth do these people even function"-type questions on CC, but this is tops.

Follow the directions on whatever type coffee you're using.
From the sounds of it, you should stick with instant coffee.

And cream and sugar is based on your personal preference. I like to had flavor syrups to mine (TJMaxx sells a bunch).

As for to start, make the coffee. Then drink it.

crazyday

Coffee helps wake up, not stay up from my experience.

If you're just not getting the sleep you need, the caffeine won't keep you up. I learned that last summer when I was taking a couple classes at washu. One morning I was so bad I decided to get five (or six?) shots of espresso in an iced mocha. I still ended up passing out halfway through class.

But it WAS worth it to see the expression on the faces of the cafe workers.

darkdream

Cream and sugar will add up and be a calorie hole. Tea is a better and healthier substitute. If you are not exercising regularly that is your best bet in improving your energy level.

AtlanticJumper

I told myself if I was gonna start drinking coffee; I was gonna do it black. If you want coffee for the caffeine don't load it down with 20 creamers and 15 packets of sugar (legit order). And I've heard people talk about coffee like a cigarette addiction. "I need my afternoon coffee or else I am SO SCREWED." Caffeine puts me to sleep, so I gain nothing from coffee/energy drinks. Plus I have food allergies...so the health factor kicks in as well.
Exercise/Healthy diet > Coffee.

DCHurricane

lol caffeine is nowhere near as addictive as smoking, not physically at least. It can become a major habit that's hard to break though.

HawkGuy

Since you are just drinking the coffee for utility (to stay awake). I would recommend getting a $20 coffeemaker from wal-mart or target. Then, buy whatever is cheap, add cream and sugar to taste. After a little trial and error you will be good to go!