{"id":1548,"date":"2016-11-24T15:00:35","date_gmt":"2016-11-24T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=61694"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:07","slug":"readers-questions-is-drugs-allowed-during-exams-and-what-colour-is-black-pete-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2016\/11\/24\/readers-questions-is-drugs-allowed-during-exams-and-what-colour-is-black-pete-here\/","title":{"rendered":"Readers\u2019 questions: is drugs allowed during exams? And what colour is Black Pete here?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"em-lezersvragen-pillen-piet\"

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnit 20<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

However smart you are, you can never know everything. So if you have a pressing question, just ask EM. Whatever it is you want to know, EM has an answer.<\/p>\n

Ritalin? Cocaine? Alcohol?<\/h3>

What substances are allowed to boost concentration during exams? Ritalin? Cocaine? Alcohol? And what works?
\n<\/em>Asking for a friend<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Drugs are not allowed on campus, and drinking isn\u2019t good either during exams. In fact, neither are very useful at any time, says Professor of Pharmacology Jan Danser. Cocaine is off the list anyway, because it\u2019s very unhealthy as well as being on the list of banned substances. According to (controversial) professional literature, Ritalin on the other hand provides \u2018maximum benefits\u2019 with \u2018minimum harm\u2019. \u201cBut is the damage really zero, particularly when it\u2019s used a lot?\u201d, Danser wonders. He points to some of the side effects: insomnia, high blood pressure and reduced appetite. \u201cThe best ways to improve brain function are still through sleep, diet, exercise and education,\u201d Danser therefore concludes. \u201cSo no drugs or medication!\u201d<\/p>\n

No black sheep here<\/h3>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>

There\u2019s an R in the name of the month, so the Black Piet discussion is live. What\u2019s the position of EUR? Is Piet welcome? And what colour is he?
\n<\/em>Deniz, Rotterdam<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you expect presents because of last year\u2019s good deed?<\/p>\n

Good news: Erasmus is visited by Sint and Pete!<\/p>\n

At the end of November, the duo will be back<\/p>\n

And you can bet the Petes won\u2019t be black<\/p>\n

No, says information Pete, they will only be \u2018smudged brown\u2019<\/p>\n

So no pots of black soot will be emptied over their crown<\/p>\n

Thus Erasmus hopes to ensure an \u2018international, inclusive university\u2019<\/p>\n

which has no place for black sheep \u2013 permanently.<\/p>\n

PS Last year, academics and media specialists (with EUR support) published a magazine: PIET<\/a>, a guide on a modern Sinterklaas celebration. \u201cIt describes the many ways in which we can celebrate Sinterklaas with a modern and thus inclusive, not black, Pete\u201d, says Professor of Caribbean History, Alex van Stipriaan. \u201cBut we can celebrate without Pete too, of course. Just surround Sinterklaas with lots of different children in costumes.\u201d<\/p>\n\t

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Have you got a question for EM? Post it in the comments below this article or mail it to\u00a0<\/em>erasmusmagazine@em.eur.nl<\/em><\/a> stating subject: readers\u2019 questions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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