When people think of college they think of alcohol consumption, it seems the two go hand-in-hand. College students love to party and binge drinking is extremely frequent while at school. It may be all fun and games for some students, but harmful college-drinking is a "significant health problem," according to this college drinking article.
Drinking while attending college has become a "ritual" in America. Teens come out of high school and cannot wait to party it up at their new college or university. Alcohol consumption has become an "integral part" of students' higher education. It is so normal for college kids go out heavy drinking with their buddies 3x or more a week, and they do not think anything bad of it. Students may not realize this now, but there are terrible consequences of binge drinking. It is important for students to understand what could happen to them from heavy partying with alcohol.
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism article above, about 1,825 college students between 18 and 24 years of age die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes.
The article details the different kinds of assault that can occur from heavy drinking. About 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been been drinking. Also, nearly 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 report experiencing alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
Partying takes it toll on students academic capabilities. The article explains how students will miss class, fall behind in class, do poorly on exams or papers and receive lower grades overall because they have been partying too much. Student's are hungover the next morning from binge drinking the night before, and do not make it to class. It happens all the time, and if it hasn't happened to you I am sure you know someone who has experienced that situation.
Having a drink can be a good time with friends, but do not go over-board and binge drink. Take care of your body and respect it. The first couple of weeks of freshmen year are very tempting. Students are vulnerable to pick up bad drinking habits that will continue for the remainder of their college years.
There are many social pressures students face when it comes to drinking alcohol, however, students need to understand that nobody has the right to pressure you into doing something you do not want to do. If people are forcing to to chug that beer, just say no, walk away, and stop hanging out with them. Those people are trying to bring you down, but do not let them.
If you are afraid you will not have any friends if you do not drink, start thinking differently. When you respect yourself you will attract positive people into your life. These people will enable you to to grow instead of bringing you down.
Be smart about alcohol, and do not give into the pressures and rituals of college drinking. Focus on you, your studies and your future. That is what will get you far in life.