Opinions - Cannabis and College Study

[danielinthebed]

Some guy I know asked me,

"I have a college exam on Monday and have spent all day today and intend on spending tomorrow revising for it. However I really feel like enjoying the rest of the evening with a joint. Do you think this is a good idea (with the exam being on Monday and further revision tomorrow), basically will it prevent me from doing well (concentrating) and remembering what I leant today in preperation for Monday?"

Can you help him out? Thanks

[geezaman]

Firstly we don't know what day SWIY's friend is on right now, at point of posting how many days was it till the exam?

But SWIM would suggest that -

If SWIY smokes regularly then a spliff 3 days before a test, should be OK and wont significantly impact on any revision SWIYs friend is able to do in those three days. If SWIYs friend smokes regularly this may actually be beneficial in stopping the thought of weed bugging him/her.
However if SWIY hardly ever smokes then SWIM would say fight the urge and maybe have a beer instead. Alot of reports seem to suggest that cannabis's effect on cognitive performance lasts roughly 30 days, if it is about 30days since SWIYs friend last had a joint, SWIM would definitely not change that at this point.

Good luck to SWIYs friend in their exam, and if its already taken place, hope it went well!

Peace
Geezaman

[dr. swim]

I'd say that weed should definitely not be used while studying, because it impairs one's ability to form new memories. It's like trying to study while drunk.

However, I would say that if he wants to smoke after a long day of studying this would be ok, and in fact it can actually help him a lot because it can greatly reduce stress, something that almost everyone gets when dealing with tests/studying.

Also, SWIM has found that weed (the Sativa kind) can greatly increase one's test-taking skills. SWIM can focus more, is less stressed, and can solve complex problems that require creative thinking much more easily. SWIM actually scores higher on tests while high than when sober.

So the general rule is, don't do it while studying, do it before the test.

[Each Hit]

swim disagrees with the above poster to the extent that there really is no "general rule." marijuana can have different effects on different people, and different strains can result in differing highs.

swim majored in physics, and he took a few tests while high. he actually aced a modern physics exam while on propylhexadrine, despite having to go vomit halfway through. his results with marijuana were mixed at best, though. for some exams, swim was able to focus and really do well, while for others he would have memory lapses and end up suffering a bit. the safest bet for swim was to wait until after the exam to smoke (either as celebration or consolation, depending on how swim thought he did). he often did homework and light studying while high, but any serious exam review was usually done sober.

the point is, what works for one person might not for another. everyone has a different brain that will react in its own way.

[Milk man]

Originally Posted by Each Hit

swim disagrees with the above poster to the extent that there really is no "general rule." marijuana can have different effects on different people, and different strains can result in differing highs.

swim majored in physics, and he took a few tests while high. he actually aced a modern physics exam while on propylhexadrine, despite having to go vomit halfway through. his results with marijuana were mixed at best, though. for some exams, swim was able to focus and really do well, while for others he would have memory lapses and end up suffering a bit. the safest bet for swim was to wait until after the exam to smoke (either as celebration or consolation, depending on how swim thought he did). he often did homework and light studying while high, but any serious exam review was usually done sober.

the point is, what works for one person might not for another. everyone has a different brain that will react in its own way.

Swim always felt he better understood physics high. Swim agrees that exams while high give mixed results.

So the general rule is, don't do it while studying, do it before the test.

Horrible idea unless swiy has tried it before. Swim thinks that swidanielinthebed will be fine, but everyone is different and he should probably hold off and try it on something not so important before moving on.

[electroluvah]

SWIM told me this story:
"I think that studying high isn't the best idea. However doing homework high is amazing...it helps me focus. The only thing is I have to clear my desk of everything that I am doing except for the work other wise I get distracted...
"Oh a ketchup packet! Man....I really want some fries...maybe I'll go and get some."
Two hours later I'm back to square one all because that stupid ketchup packet.
True story."