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The Use Of "Study Drugs" Is On The Rise, But Cramming For Exams With Adderall May Be More Trouble Than It's Worth
Timothy Bleasdale
Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: Finals Extra
Additionally, the Adderall XR Web site warns that people with glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, allergies to amphetamines, or a history of psychosis, hallucinations, or drug abuse are at an elevated risk for adverse effects of these drugs.
But for some students like Roxanne, the better grade is worth the risks.
"I definitely did better on the exam [having taken Adderall while studying]," Roxanne said. "It's similar to caffeine in that it keeps you awake, but it also keeps you really focused on what you're doing. You don't get distracted at all."
For those working against drug and alcohol abuse like Szigethy, student enthusiasm for stimulant abuse is a cause for great concern.
"If a student is only concerned regarding the physical ramifications of taking a drug then that student already has a mindset that is concerning," Szigethy said. "Ideally, prescribed medications are to treat an ailing body - not to jump start or make up for lost study time during the semester. Students using stimulants as 'study aids' are in the same category as professional athletes using steroids to improve performance."
Szigethy adds that students who learn to squeeze by on exams with the aid of stimulants aren't learning the basic lessons of how to navigate deadlines and the real world demands of the work force.
"When a person has to meet deadlines in the workforce and has learned that [stimulants] may assist in the short term during the academic year, they may also make a determination that in the workforce they can repeat the same behavior," Szigethy said. "Students reading this may say that they would never do that, but if they have not learned to manage deadlines without these 'study aids,' how will they learn in the workforce?"
Instead of illegally taking Adderall or Ritalin, Szigethy suggests students pace themselves to get the rest they need.
"Exhaustion will not help focus, schedule in some breaks during your studying but stick to the timeline and return to the work, eat well, take care of yourself and get some exercise," Szigethy said. "It will clear your head and help keep you focused when hitting the books."
For those that choose to use stimulants to keep their focus, Roxanne has some words of caution. As the drug wears off, she says, there can be mild to severe withdrawal symptoms.
"I felt like I had no need to eat," Roxanne said. "I felt really nauseous. I mean, I had stayed up the whole night before, I felt a little out of it and hazy. But nothing too serious."
Contact Timothy Bleasdale at
Timothy.Bleasdale@UConn.edu.
But for some students like Roxanne, the better grade is worth the risks.
"I definitely did better on the exam [having taken Adderall while studying]," Roxanne said. "It's similar to caffeine in that it keeps you awake, but it also keeps you really focused on what you're doing. You don't get distracted at all."
For those working against drug and alcohol abuse like Szigethy, student enthusiasm for stimulant abuse is a cause for great concern.
"If a student is only concerned regarding the physical ramifications of taking a drug then that student already has a mindset that is concerning," Szigethy said. "Ideally, prescribed medications are to treat an ailing body - not to jump start or make up for lost study time during the semester. Students using stimulants as 'study aids' are in the same category as professional athletes using steroids to improve performance."
Szigethy adds that students who learn to squeeze by on exams with the aid of stimulants aren't learning the basic lessons of how to navigate deadlines and the real world demands of the work force.
"When a person has to meet deadlines in the workforce and has learned that [stimulants] may assist in the short term during the academic year, they may also make a determination that in the workforce they can repeat the same behavior," Szigethy said. "Students reading this may say that they would never do that, but if they have not learned to manage deadlines without these 'study aids,' how will they learn in the workforce?"
Instead of illegally taking Adderall or Ritalin, Szigethy suggests students pace themselves to get the rest they need.
"Exhaustion will not help focus, schedule in some breaks during your studying but stick to the timeline and return to the work, eat well, take care of yourself and get some exercise," Szigethy said. "It will clear your head and help keep you focused when hitting the books."
For those that choose to use stimulants to keep their focus, Roxanne has some words of caution. As the drug wears off, she says, there can be mild to severe withdrawal symptoms.
"I felt like I had no need to eat," Roxanne said. "I felt really nauseous. I mean, I had stayed up the whole night before, I felt a little out of it and hazy. But nothing too serious."
Contact Timothy Bleasdale at
Timothy.Bleasdale@UConn.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
susan
posted 12/10/07 @ 12:18 PM EST
The mental health department on campus is woefully inadequate to help students through this difficult period. Hogan may worry about shooters on campus but he does litle to help with the legion of anxious students that might benefit from some anxiety relief therapy. (Continued…)
Justin Moffatt
posted 12/10/07 @ 8:23 PM EST
Interesting that as this article was written "Instead of illegally taking Adderall or Ritalin, Szigethy suggests students pace themselves to get the rest they need. (Continued…)
j
posted 12/11/07 @ 8:09 PM EST
The comparison to athletes using steroids was good....except you could also claim that students using caffeine to help study can also be compared.
The bad thing about steroids is that it puts those who don't use it because its bad for their body at a disadvantage. (Continued…)
Igt slot machine
posted 12/16/08 @ 11:44 AM EST
Very intresting topic!
220-601
posted 3/31/09 @ 12:52 AM EST
Interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
Gary Winnick
220-601
posted 3/31/09 @ 1:00 AM EST
Really informative post. Thanks for sharing.
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