Drugs and Studying 

Student life isn’t all about drugs, sex and rock & roll! You are actually there to get a qualification, and that can become pretty stressful. Drugs can have a big impact on the way you study. Not only can they affect your short-term memory and concentration but can eat into your student budget and quality of life.

Some students will also find that a criminal conviction means they cannot follow their chosen career path. These include, amongst others, teaching, pharmaceuticals, the civil service and medicine.

The stress of exams for many students often means late nights and lots of caffeine! Don't overdo it, as too much caffeine can actually affect your ability to concentrate and can make you restless and irritable. As with caffeine, smoking too much can have the same effect. Nicotine acts as a stimulant and will keep you awake and make you restless and irritable. Try not to exceed 2 cups of ground coffee or 4 cups of instant coffee every 2 hours.

If you are using caffeine tablets, such as ProPlus, stick to the dosage on the packaging. Do not mix coffee with ProPlus or energy drinks, such as Red Bull. You will be swamped with caffeine. The best thing to do is to get some sleep, 8 hours is about right, giving your body time to reenergise. A short nap in the afternoon will recharge your batteries and help you to concentrate for longer later.

The best way to study is to plan your time realistically, take regular breaks, eat well and drink lots of water. High-fibre foods such as cereals and fruit are good when studying and high-glucose foods such as chocolate are good just before or during your exam.

Universities of Sussex and Brighton

The University of Brighton has recently produced a drugs and alcohol policy for students. To view a copy of this publication please click here.

The University of Sussex currently does not have a drugs and alcohol policy for students.This means that a student found with illegal drugs in their possession could be dealt with in a number of different ways. These range from warnings to police involvement, criminal prosecution and removal from their academic studies.