According to a study by Dr. Hingson published in Public Health Reports, 88 percent of college students admit to drinking during their college career. Of those surveyed, 41 percent admit to binge drinking, which according to the report is alcoholic drinking that results in a hangover. Studies have shown that students who drink while in college are at risk for poor academic performance, personal injury and behavioral issues.
Mom and Dad can give their child a chance to mature a bit before beginning college by sending him or her through a gap year that lets the teen travel and see the world before falling under the intoxicating spell of the college campus. With more experience of the world, young adults have better judgment and self-control when faced with life choices like binge drinking or taking drugs.
Poor Academic Performance
According to another study published by Dr. Henry Wechsler in the Journal of American College Health, students who drink increase their chances of failing classes by 62 percent. Alcohol can become a distraction and can cause students to favor attending social events rather than studying and attending class. Consuming alcohol can also have a negative effect on a student’s ability to concentrate, which can lead to less in-class participation and cause knowledge retention to diminish. This may lead to poor grades on tests and other assignments.
Social Anxiety
According to a study by Dr. Sarah W. Book published on the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website, 18 percent of individuals who engage in binge drinking have some form of social anxiety. Alcohol can make social situations easier to manage, and thus cause a college student to favor drinking prior to interacting with peers. Combine this with a new environment and it being their first time away from their parents, and for many students their social anxiety increases. As students build a tolerance to alcohol the amount they drink and the severity of their social anxiety can increase, causing them to only function when they are drinking.
Personal Injury
According to an article written by Diana Jean Schemo published in the New York Times, drinking inhibits a drinkers’ ability to judge the severity of situations. This can cause them to engage in dangerous stunts or promiscuous sexual behavior, which increases their likelihood of a physical injury or contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Drinking can also be accelerated in the presence of peers, and cause students to become a victim of alcohol poisoning. This can lead to severe health problems or death. Students may also drive while under the influence of alcohol, which increases their likelihood of being involved in an automobile accident.
Behavioral Issues
According to a study by Ann Brownlee, MSW, students are susceptible to violent rages and unpredictable behavior when under the influence of alcohol. These behavioral issues make a student more likely to engage in illegal activity such as vandalism, and sexual assault. Brownlee estimates that half of all vandalism and sexual assault cases that occur on college campuses are a direct result of too much alcohol consumption.
