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Mental health experts call on students to cut back on energy drinks, caffeine and sugar to help combat study stress, new data from ReachOut

ReachOut

Key Facts:

• 28% of students are drinking energy drinks and 39% are eating more foods like chips and chocolate when studying long hours or late at night. 

• 25% of students are cutting back on exercise in the lead up to exams. 

• ReachOut is reporting year on year increases in the wellbeing impacts of study stress for students, including changes in mood and relationship challenges.

ReachOut is encouraging students to take a proactive approach to their mental health and to seek support in the lead up to Yr 12 exams. 

In the lead-up to Year 12 exams, youth mental health service ReachOut has released new data on study stress, including that 28 per cent of students are turning to energy drinks to help get through long study sessions.

 

The survey (1000 students, June 2025) found that of those turning to energy drinks, 22 per cent are consuming two daily, and almost 14 per cent reported consuming three or more energy drinks daily.

 

In addition, 39 per cent of students are consuming caffeinated drinks (coffee-based), 22 per cent drink soft drinks and 39 per cent of students said they eat more foods like chips, lollies and chocolate to get them through long study sessions.

 

A quarter (25%) of students surveyed reported being much less likely to maintain their normal exercise habits during exam time and in the lead-up to assessments.

 

As well as driving challenges for students’ dietary habits and exercise patterns, study stress is also having increased wellbeing impacts for students. The proportion of students who reported changes in their mood rose by 19 percentage points year on year, the number who reported not doing enjoyable things rose by 13 percentage points and the number who reported relationship challenges rose by 10 percentage points.

 

Deputy CEO of ReachOut, Jackie Hallan, said that the new data provided an opportunity for students to make simple yet powerful changes to help them feel better.

 

“Exams are around the corner for Year 12s and ReachOut’s new study stress data shows us that many students are reaching for things like energy drinks for quick wins to help them power through study sessions. However, leaning too much on things like sugar and caffeine and skipping exercise can backfire. 

 

“We also found that the wellbeing impacts of study stress are significant, and rising. More and more students aren’t doing things they enjoy, they’re experiencing changes to their moods and their relationships are suffering too. For some students a combination of the food and drinks that spike our energy and not moving could be contributing to these experiences, or they could make them feel even harder to manage.

 

“ReachOut’s message is simple: exams and assessments don’t have to drain you. It’s not about being perfect, it is about moving and fuelling your mind and body in smarter, kinder ways. Even small changes like taking short walks during study breaks and staying hydrated can level up your wellbeing and help you power through.

 

“Seeking support for study stress is also important if you are in distress. That could look like speaking to someone you trust, making an appointment with a GP or going online – there are resources available at ReachOut and parents and carers can head to ReachOut Parents,” she said. 

When it comes to seeking support for study stress 61 per cent of students said that their friends were the most common source of support and 31 per cent said they study with friends to help with studying long hours or late at night. 39 per cent of students surveyed had sought support from the parents and carers, around one in five sought support through an online search or website (23%) and 22 per cent had been supported by a teacher or school counsellor. 

For information and support students can visit ReachOut. Parents and carers supporting students can visit ReachOut Parents. 

ENDS

 

Available for interview 

• Jackie Hallan, Deputy CEO of ReachOut

• Kate McGill (APD, CEDC, CIEC) Accredited Practising Dietitian, Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician, and Body Image Coach, Butterfly Foundation 

• Year 12 case studies 

 

Video and audio clips 

• Available here to download for editorial use 

 

Key Stats 

Survey of more than 1000 young people aged 16 - 25 years, conducted in June 2025

 

General study stress findings

• 86% of students reported that they had experienced study stress in the last 12 months (similar to 2024 levels).

• 45% of students reported that they were very stressed or extremely stressed in the past 2 weeks.

 

Nutrition

When studying long hours or late at night students reported:

• 39% drink caffeine 

• 28% drink energy drinks 

• 22% drink sugary drinks 

• 39% eat more quick-energy foods (chips, lollies, chocolate)

• Of those who said they use energy drinks when under study or exam pressure, 22% reported consuming 2 drinks daily, and 14% reported consuming 3 or more drinks daily. 

• 25% saw no link between their eating habits and study stress levels.

 

Exercise 

• During exam time and in lead up to assessments 25% of students said they were much less likely to maintain their normal exercise habits.

• 62% of students reported that exercise reduces their stress levels somewhat or substantially.

Wellbeing impacts of study stress

• The proportion of surveyed students who reported changes in their mood increased by 19 percentage points year on year (39% in 2024, 58% in 2025)  

• The proportion of students who reported not doing enjoyable things rose by 13 percentage points year on year (34% in 2024, 47% in 2025)  

• The proportion of students who reported relationship challenges rose by 10 percentage points (19% in 2024, 29% in 2025) 

 

Support 

• 61% of students said that their friends were the most common source of support for study stress issues 

• 31% said they study with friends to help with studying long hours or late at night. 

• 39% of students surveyed had sought support from their parents and carers

• 23% of students sought support through an online search or website 

• 22% of students had been supported by a teacher or school counsellor. 

 

Links 

ReachOut 

• Exam stress 

• Quiz: Are you burning out?

• Foods that help our brains study

• PeerChat

 

ReachOut Parents 

• Exam stress and teenagers

• School study and teenagers

• Stress and teenagers

Social media 

Young people

• ReachOut

• Instagram (@reachout_aus)

• TikTok (@reachout_aus)

 

Parents and carers

• ReachOut Parents

• Instagram (@reachout_parents) 

 

Other places to find ReachOut on social media

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

Safe reporting 

• Mindframe guidelines 

• Guidelines on reporting and portrayal of eating disorders: A Mindframe resource for communicators 

About us:

About ReachOut

ReachOut is the leading online mental health service in Australia supporting young people during tough times.

ReachOut helps young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they’re facing. They provide a safe place where young people can openly express themselves, explore what’s happening in their lives, connect with people who understand their situation, and find the resources to help them manage their challenges now and in the future.

Anonymous, free and 100% online, ReachOut has been designed specifically for – and with – young people. From one-to-one support from experienced peer workers, to tips, stories and resources, ReachOut offers a wide range of support options that allow young people to engage in the ways they want to, when they want to, and has been doing so for more than 20 years.

And, ReachOut Parents and ReachOut Schools provide valuable information, resources and advice to help parents, carers and educators to better understand the young people in their lives and to play an active role in their wellbeing.

Contact details:

Tessa Anderssen / [email protected] / 0411 708 587