Back to School (Part 2) College Edition

Okay. This blog is dedicated to college kids (or anyone interested in reading it). College can be a very fun and exciting endeavor. For some young adults, this may be the first time they are out of their parent’s house. For others, this could seem like the first true adult experience. However, sometimes college is not always what it’s cracked up to be. College requires responsibility, accountability, time management, and some basic social skills. Achieving these standards can be challenging for a young adult for many reasons.

When I think of college I immediately associate partying (could be my past). A lot of college students experience parties for the first time in college. Keep in mind, I want you to have fun! Here are some things to be mindful of when you party in college (or anywhere really):

• Never drink and drive or use any substance and drive even marijuana (our body metabolizes 1 oz. of alcohol per hour and any more than that is usually over the limit and can lead to intoxication. Marijuana does impair judgment)
• Call a cab, Uber or Lyft (if you have a designated driver, please make sure you’re not getting in the car with them if they drink)
• Don’t leave your drink unattended at a party/bar/pub (if you sit it down, then consider it a ‘dead’ drink and don’t drink it. Someone could put drugs in your drink)
• For Women, don’t walk or travel home alone intoxicated or not
• Binge drinking has led to death (Binge drinking is drinking 5-6 drinks in a 3-hour period. This kind of drinking surprises the body and can lead to some health risks)
• If you are using ‘party drugs’ make sure you know what you’re taking (I’m not stupid to think that college kids don’t use or abuse drugs other than alcohol)
• Be careful mixing alcohol with energy drinks and other substances (alcohol is a depressant and energy drinks are considered a stimulant. These combinations have led to death).
• Have access to emergency responders if needed

College students can also suffer from a wide array of issues:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Alcohol and substance use/abuse
• Overwhelming stress as a result of expectations
• Eating disorders (i.e. Anorexia and bulimia)
• Feeling ashamed, lost, and scared of being away from family and support
• Sexual Transmitted Illness as a result of high-risk sexual behaviors with multiple partners
• Poor self-confidence and low self-esteem

If you experience any of these issues please reach out to family and other support. Sometimes meeting with a therapist can be helpful in processing life events!

CHEERS!! And good luck with your academic success…