Ritalin, Coffee and Sleep Aids: How Students Get Through Exam Season

During exam season, students put in long days, get little sleep and deal with high levels of stress. How do they keep going? Univers asked students which substances they use to stay awake, improve their concentration or help themselves fall asleep.

Recent research by Tilburg University shows that students’ workload during exam weeks can reach as much as 94 hours per week. Through a survey, Univers asked students which aids they use to improve their concentration, study for longer or sleep better. Forty students completed the survey.

Although the results are not representative of all Tilburg University students, they do provide insight into the ways students try to cope with the intense academic pressure during exam periods.

Coffee Remains the Favourite

Coffee is by far the most popular study aid. More than two-thirds of respondents (67.5%) said they drink extra coffee during exam season to stay alert.

This comes as no surprise. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, caffeine can temporarily improve concentration and alertness. An average cup of coffee contains around 60 milligrams of caffeine. However, high caffeine intake can also lead to restlessness, anxiety, headaches and sleep problems.

Students do not consume caffeine through coffee alone. Energy drinks are also popular. A single can contains an average of around 80 milligrams of caffeine and ranked second in the Univers survey, with 27.5% of respondents reporting that they use them.

Two students also indicated that they use pre-workout supplements during exam periods. These supplements typically contain a combination of caffeine, amino acids and creatine. Like coffee and energy drinks, they can increase alertness.

ADHD Medication as a Study Aid

In addition to caffeinated drinks, several students mentioned medication as a tool during exam periods. These include stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and dexamphetamine, which are prescribed to people with ADHD.

Some students use these medications with a prescription. Four respondents in the Univers survey reported taking ADHD medication because they have been diagnosed with the condition.

Marketing Management student Evy* (22), who has ADD, says the medication helps her while studying. “At the moment, I only use my medication when I really need to study or when I genuinely need to focus on something.”

Without medication, she often finds it difficult to get started.”A Ritalin pill gives me a dopamine boost, which motivates me to get to work. It also allows me to focus intensely on one task instead of thinking about a hundred things at once.”

She deliberately chooses to take the medication only when she needs to concentrate intensely, such as during busy exam periods. She made this decision in consultation with her general practitioner. “I also notice disadvantages, such as feeling anxious and experiencing a flattening of my emotions. That’s why I don’t enjoy taking it every day,” Evy explains.

Without a Prescription

Students without ADHD also use these medications. Five respondents said they have occasionally used either short-acting or long-acting methylphenidate or dexamphetamine despite not having an ADHD diagnosis.

Sociology student Nienke* (27) says she has used methylphenidate to help her study. “I got it from a friend who has narcolepsy, a condition that causes people to suddenly fall asleep. People with narcolepsy are often prescribed the same medication as people with ADHD. I already used it while studying for my secondary school final exams.”

When she started university, she occasionally used it during exam periods. “The medication made it easier to get started and helped me stay focused for longer. That’s why I liked using it.”

Today, however, she views it differently. “When I tried it again fairly recently, I mainly noticed the negative effects. It made me feel nervous, as if I’d had twenty cups of coffee. It wasn’t pleasant. I don’t think I’ll use it again in the future.”

Heart Palpitations

This type of substance use is not uncommon. According to the Monitor Mental Health and Substance Use Among Higher Education Students (2025) by the Trimbos Institute, 4% of university students used ADHD medication without a doctor’s prescription during the past year. Students mainly do so to improve concentration, study for longer and increase their energy levels.

However, this practice carries risks. Reported side effects include heart palpitations, sleep problems and reduced appetite.

Sleep Aids and Supplements

Not all students turn to stimulants. Some respondents reported using the sleep aid melatonin, which can help people fall asleep more quickly. A good night’s sleep is also an important part of preparing for an exam.

Students also mentioned a variety of supplements and other products that they believe support their studies. Electrolytes (containing minerals such as calcium and magnesium), multivitamins and so-called “brain caps”—supplements marketed to improve concentration and reduce stress through ingredients such as ashwagandha—were also cited as popular ways to stay energised or focused.

In Search of Focus

For most students, coffee remains the preferred—and most accessible—study aid during exam periods. But a smaller group looks for additional ways to cope with academic pressure. As workloads increase and exams approach, they want to perform at their best—even if that means relying on a pill.

The name Nienke is a pseudonym. Evy chose to speak only under her first name about her experiences. The editorial team knows both students’ full identities.