Mid-August is stigmatized for its uncomfortable humidity and the fading days of summer. It is also an important time for college students in that it signals the beginning of back to school week.
College students, new and old, see the first week of school as a new start to not only the semester, but also their adult lives. Students are adults, but sometimes we fall short of what is expected of us.
Being away from home for the first time is like a dream come true for those entering their college years. There are no parental lectures, no mandatory chores and no one looking over your shoulder 24/7. This new sense of freedom is exhilarating, but sometimes it creates problems. Relationships, partying and drinking can easily get in the way of priorities.
Students, most importantly freshman, are trying to find their identity and reinvent themselves. Hanging out with individuals who may become a negative influence is usually a bad move when trying to establish a positive college career.
Attending college is about being a student. Anything that prevents learning should be secondary. Why? Students and parents are paying for this opportunity. It would be ridiculous to brush off something that you are paying for.
The media has caused young adults to believe college is one big party. It glamorizes drinking and sex to the utmost. In films, you may see a scene or two that show people in class, but the central focus is usually on drinking and sex. If you find yourself only drinking and having sex you should probably reconsider your life choices. Maybe you should have filled out an application for The Real World instead of an application for higher education.
Binge drinking is a rising issue in the college community. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent or above. In other words, this entails men consuming 5 or more drinks or women consuming 4 or more drinks in the course of 2 hours. This is a very serious issue. The AlcoholEdu course for freshmen may seem like a long-winded rant, but it is valid. Watch your alcohol consumption, because no one wants to end up in the hospital for something that is so easily preventable.
On another note, if you are an entering freshman do not assume you know all the answers. We all have pride, but there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Other people are here to help you, utilize that help. Participate in student government, student media or other clubs on campus to further your knowledge of N.C. State.
Upperclassmen should take some time out and help new students find their way. If you see someone in the Brickyard with a huge map struggling to simultaneously walk and read, help him or her with directions. The good karma will come back to you.
College should be a fun and informative experience. A good number of people will never have the chance to attend an institution of higher learning so don’t take this for granted. Make the most out of this experience. Attempt to grow and change for the better during your time at State.
Send Marlena your thoughts on college to [email protected].
