You are startled awake as your head hits your textbook. Finals are upcoming and you have basically been living at the library for the past week. This is your last chance to save your grades and it is so overwhelming. Your eyes begin fluttering each time you attempt to focus on the text. You need sleep but you do not have time. Studying is the top priority. A friend scored someone's prescription medication and aced all of his exams so far and does not feel like a zombie. Maybe you could try it too? It cannot hurt, right? Just this once to make it through finals week would not hurt. It is only once.

The use of prescription psychoactive medications (acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, and behavior) are rising in popularity among students to aid in concentration. The abuse of prescription psychoactive medications among students is increasing due to increased academic pressures and consequently, those students who rely on these drugs will become dependent on them to succeed. Abuse of prescription drugs in this manner is second only to marijuana use and is much more dangerous. While students who choose to self-medicate with these drugs focus on the supposed benefits of increased concentration and lowered stress level, they neglect to consider the serious negative side effects. Since the students abusing these drugs do not actually need them, you never know how their body will react. Not to mention, it is highly illegal to possess prescription drugs that are not prescribed to you by a doctor. Even worse, some of these medications are quite addictive; therefore, it becomes increasingly more difficult to study without the use of these prescription drugs, despite the serious risk. The best way to address this rising trend is to raise awareness of the severity of drug abuse. Regardless of the alleged benefits, the serious consequences involved are not worth it. A few healthy ways to increase your concentration while studying include: snacking on light, healthy foods, be in an area with no distractions (including irrelevant electronics, people, and excessive noise), giving yourself checkpoints to accomplish with short breaks in between as a reward, and last but most importantly, get plenty of sleep (you will not retain the information if your brain is tired, so an all-nighter is actually detrimental to your studying). With this information in mind, best of luck on your upcoming finals!