I recently read an article titled, "College Students Warned About Loading Up on Caffeine Boosters," in the Valley News Dispatch. I found it very interesting, yet troubling, to read that students are not only loading up on caffeine such as coffee, sodas, and energy drinks, but they are also taking Adderall or Ritalin, a prescribed drug used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Students are getting their hands on these drugs by any means necessary to help them with maintaining concentration. The reason why students are going to such great lengths is because of the pressure to do well in school. Terri Bassicook, a director of Counseling, Disability and Health Services at Seton Hill University in Greensburg states, “Some of their financial aid or scholarships are linked to their GPA (grade point averages).”
I can see using coffee, soda, tea, or energy drinks to help with staying awake while trying to study as long as you use it in moderation. In my opinion, too much of anything can be dangerous. I can’t imagine going to great lengths to get Adderall or Ritalin. What ever happened to time management? In life we have to make choices. I’ve learned that good choices net good results and bad choices net bad results. So what if you miss a party, can’t go to a game, or can't participate in a Madden tournament on your favorite game console; at the end of the day, which one is most important, education or pleasure?