Prescription for dangerous study habits
Midterms mayhem: the lengths students will go to make the grade
Angela Salerno
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: Features
Being a college student involves having the ability to handle multiple assignments at a time, requiring students to have high levels of concentration and the ability to focus.
For those students diagnosed with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, medications may be prescribed in order to help them pay attention better.
However, some students rely on giving themselves their own diagnosis by taking ADD medications without having a prescription in an effort to help them study better.
"Students who don't have the disorder turn to ADD medications because they are assigned a lot of work and little time to complete it. Taking ADD drugs allows them to stay awake longer and focus better so they are able to have time and energy to complete their work," said a senior who prefers to remain anonymous.
So which medications are students turning to in times of intense stress and pressure? Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin are three main prescriptions for patients diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.
Each of these medications are stimulants and when prescribed properly, help the patient maintain a high level of concentration and awareness.
According to WebMD.com, "Stimulants may be the most effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These medicines can suddenly and dramatically improve behavior."
It seems as though some students who do not have a physician's prescription for these medications don't look at the situation as potentially harming themselves, but actually as enhancing their studying skills.
"I personally have taken ADHD meds without a prescription and they have certainly aided me in my study habits for exams such as midterms and finals. They make me feel like I can study everything and anything in a reasonable amount of time," said a junior who prefers to keep their name anonymous.
Although some students may not realize they are actually harming their bodies by consuming these medications, Janice Kessler, Sacred Heart University's alcohol and drug counselor, believes differently.
For those students diagnosed with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, medications may be prescribed in order to help them pay attention better.
However, some students rely on giving themselves their own diagnosis by taking ADD medications without having a prescription in an effort to help them study better.
"Students who don't have the disorder turn to ADD medications because they are assigned a lot of work and little time to complete it. Taking ADD drugs allows them to stay awake longer and focus better so they are able to have time and energy to complete their work," said a senior who prefers to remain anonymous.
So which medications are students turning to in times of intense stress and pressure? Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin are three main prescriptions for patients diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.
Each of these medications are stimulants and when prescribed properly, help the patient maintain a high level of concentration and awareness.
According to WebMD.com, "Stimulants may be the most effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These medicines can suddenly and dramatically improve behavior."
It seems as though some students who do not have a physician's prescription for these medications don't look at the situation as potentially harming themselves, but actually as enhancing their studying skills.
"I personally have taken ADHD meds without a prescription and they have certainly aided me in my study habits for exams such as midterms and finals. They make me feel like I can study everything and anything in a reasonable amount of time," said a junior who prefers to keep their name anonymous.
Although some students may not realize they are actually harming their bodies by consuming these medications, Janice Kessler, Sacred Heart University's alcohol and drug counselor, believes differently.
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