University of Wisconsin - Extension

Menomonie, Wis--As college students arrive on campus, they look forward to new friendships, new experiences and making memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately for many, college can also be a time of binge drinking and dealing with its aftermath.

"Many students believe that drinking is a part of the college experience," says Kristen Bruder, University of Wisconsin-Extension family living educator in Dunn County. "Incoming students need to know there are plenty of other students on campus that do not use alcohol. In fact, there are many clubs, organizations and activities that are alcohol free."

A 2007 College Health Assessment Survey found that 19 percent of students never use alcohol at all. Fourteen percent used alcohol, but had not done so in the previous 30 days.

"Those students who choose to drink can face academic consequences such as missing classes, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers and receiving lower grades overall," says Bruder. A recent study suggests that nearly half of college freshmen who choose to drink spend more time drinking each week than they do studying.

Academics aren't the only area affected by a student's choice to drink. Injury, assault, sexual abuse, unsafe sex, blackouts or even death could be other consequences of heavy drinking.

"Many students are not aware that the human brain does not actually fully mature until age 25," says Bruder. "Excessive and binge drinking can damage the still developing hippocampus which handles memory and learning, as well as the prefrontal area which plays an important role in forming adult personality and behavior."

So how can you help your student deal with college pressures of drinking? Bruder offers several tips for parents.

--Talk--don't lecture. Tell your child you want them to have fun but also to be safe.

--Listen to your child's concerns without passing judgment and without giving advice.

--Be aware that your child will experience the most pressure related to drinking in the first six weeks of school.

--Call, text and e-mail frequently during the first six weeks.

--Know and respect the law. Understand the penalties for underage drinking and share them with your son or daughter.