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There seems to be, in America, a unique desire to succeed in everything that we are faced with. Perhaps it is our heavy influence in global market or the conquering spirit left over from when the conquistadors first landed on the shores of the New World. We see this need to become the best in our careers, in the way in which we raise our children, though none more heavily than college students.
You heard that right.
College students seem to have a more ardent want to become self-made conquerors of the academia world. After all, in this economy, who would not want to develop this mindset? In a world where graduating college does not guarantee a stable job, there are very few who would not crumble under the enormous pressure.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/01/health/drugs-adderall-concentration/
This may be the reason why many students are turning to prescription drugs normally prescribed to patients diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, to succeed in University level classes. Many of these students using these drugs to study have not been prescribed to them, heightening the chances of dangerous side effects occurring.
Indeed, according to CNN, “[Alan] DeSantis’ research found that 30% of students at the university have illegally used a stimulant, like the ADHD drugs Adderall or Ritalin” (Cooper, CNN). On one level, these statistics are alarming. Indeed, the very indeed of a college student using “study drugs” (Cooper, CNN) to complete schoolwork is disturbing—and thought provoking.
For a student in 2014, the chances of securing a job in their major are slim and, even more dismal; the chances of securing a job at all after graduation are mediocre at best. According to Reuters.com,
“Healthcare and education graduates had lower unemployment rates of about 3 percent and 4 percent respectively, while construction and architecture majors and liberal arts and social sciences majors experienced the highest levels of unemployment of 7 percent to 8 percent” (Nawaguna, Reuters)
The fact that college students are no longer guaranteed employment after graduation puts an enormous strain on students to succeed and do well in all their classes in a hope to boost their chances of finding a well-paying job. The disturbing fact remains, though, that students are turning to prescribed medications to help them succeed.