Women are leading and ruling the world!

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There are many very talented women who lead countries, are the chief executives of major companies and who take the initiative in life in all sorts of leadership roles. But frankly, there still aren't enough of them in such roles.

This month has seen the release of exam results across these islands where, generally, once again the females have outperformed the males. And the female to male ratio at university clearly tips in favour of the women. I graduated with a Masters in Pharmacy where us men were clearly in the minority. But I'm not complaining at all nor am I surprised.

I came across a really interesting blog on the Daily Telegraph website which put forward to assertion that the world of work was becoming a woman's world. Although I am still furious that female graduates are still reportedly being paid less then their male counterparts, I am deeply heartened to see women are finally beginning to lead the world as well as continuously succeed in their careers as we go deep into the 21st century. It is simply something we all should celebrate and be very happy about. For too long, they have been held back and forced to settle for second place in life and it is really only now where they have finally overtaken us.

But let's also remember that each and every individual is important. I am also not talking us men down; I am simply acknowledging the fact that the world is more accepting and appreciating of women for all the good they bring to the world than ever before.

The Daily Telegraph blog painted some sort of a picture that the end was inevitable for all men in this world. I don't know if that's the impression that Fraser Nelson of The Spectator magazine was wanting to bring across in the blog but he isn't wrong to mention that it is the men who are having to re-adapt and accept the newly changed world that we live in.

I think there is still a perception amongst some men that they feel threatened by the rise of success from women. The fear of feminine power dominating the world. There is nothing to be scared of. In fact, if anything, the values of femininity are making the world a much better place to live and work in and, personally, for me it is this that drives and motivates me to make the most of my talents and abilities to succeed in life. There are many amazing female role models, many of which I admire.

Women don't want men in this world who are only half bothered about where they are going in life, especially now when they are outperforming us in many professions and other aspects of life. And Fraser mentioned about the idea of men being snubbed because they weren't seen as steady and reliable when it came to romantic partnerships and building a family. We men need to accept now that the idea of not being the breadwinner always isn't a bad one as long as we make the most of our talents and abilities for the good of ourselves and others.

And, to conclude, there's everything right with having a desire to find a woman in life who is a natural leader and takes the initiative.

Fellow blokes, your successful wife or girlfriend is the Queen in the relationship. Show her respect.

Smart drugs aren't so clever

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Yesterday, I read this weekend's edition of the Pharmaceutical Journal about the use of certain drugs by students in order to increase their ability to perform well in examinations at university. There is no doubt that university is a colourful part of someone's life and not only for the reasons of going out and building a sustainable social circle and enriching yourself in it.

But then of course there is the continuous number of assessments that just keep coming and coming. There are products available which an increasing number of students over the years have started to take in order to enhance their performance, like cognitive enhancers. And some of those students have even stated their approval for using those drugs as it has improved their performance in exams.

But I'm sceptical. As the saying goes, "don't judge a book by its front cover".

Because this whole issue boils down to one thing - safety. The side effects of drugs like methylphenidate and modafinil are very unpleasant and can dramatically affect the cardiovascular system and the brain. Too many people see the short term benefit and snub the long term damage that inappropriate use of those medicines can cause. We are jumping into the swimming pool with two feet and not anticipating ourselves for getting the dive right and avoiding anybody who may happen to be in our way when we head for the pool.

Personally, the growing use of cognitive enhancers, without a proper diagnosis, has been caused by a fear of failure in life, which has arisen due to the fact we have refused to see beyond the boundaries of academia. Academia has almost become a prerequisite for success in life and that certainly isn't the case. Life is bigger than that.

And, as far as exams are concerned, I don't really think there is a need to chase so enthusiastically after those medicines for the purposes of simply getting an extra five marks in an assessment. Its not worth it at all and not even for half a mark. The whole purpose of studying a course at university is not to solely become an exam passing machine. It is to enlighten a person about the subject being learned and to achieve new skills which are essential for employment and further advancing someone's career.

For too long, there has been too much emphasis and, dare I say this, panic about simply passing exams. Its become too much of, "you must get an A" or "you must get better marks than the person or group of people you loathe in your class". We need to realise that in each of us the only competition is simply ourselves and nobody else. Not everyone is an academic genius and I don't think the "you must go to university or you are surplus to life's requirements" attitude that has been indoctrinated into people's minds in the last fifteen years has any credibility whatsoever.

From my own personal experience, I was never an academic genius and proved this during my school years and time at university. There were always people out there who would beat me 999 out of a 1,000 when it came to examinations. Yet, so far, I can say I've done fairly alright in life. And there are many people who have been incredibly successful who never even went to university. Look no further than the entrepreneurial stars of Dragons' Den.

Life's real test hasn't been about how many marks you can accumulate in an assessment, and frankly never will be. Its about how brilliant of an individual you can be. I'm not suggesting that academically bright people can't go on to become awesome individuals but its about time we embraced individualism on a full time basis and accept that everyone is different and has something special in them to be successful in life.

And finally, as far as achieving employment is concerned, what is the whole point of studying for an academic award when you aren't preparing yourself for the long term and connecting your abilities with the needs of the workplace? We are human beings and not exam passing robots. We are all unique and not monotonous.

And we are all uniquely brilliant in our own ways.