Booze vs. Books: What Will You Do This Weekend?

Booze vs. Books: What Will You Do This Weekend?

Rachel Levi

For The Clock

rlevi@plymouth.edu

College is the time when students are finally free of parental supervision for the first time in their lives. Most celebrated is the freedom to live without the maternal nagging when you happen to stay out too late, skip a class, or spend your weekend partying. Although college is certainly a time to enjoy the fresh breath of freedom, we should also keep in mind that too much of anything can be harmful.

Many come to college with the idea that they will be able to balance partying and schoolwork. This is not always the case, and schoolwork suffers immensely when the lure of partying surpasses the lure of a degree. Although tempting, there are many benefits to not basing your college career off going out and getting drunk every weekend and you’re doing a great injustice to yourself if you don’t stop to consider them.

Alcohol will interrupt your sleep. According to a recent survey from Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, studies show that although you sleep deeper, it’s harder to actually fall asleep under the influence of alcohol. Your brain may feel fatigued, decreasing its potential to focus on schoolwork, or conjuring the motivation to do it in the first place. Consequences of binge drinking include blacking out, overdosing, injuries caused by carelessness, greater chances of committing or being the victim of sexual assault, and death.

Binge drinking is something that’s been more and more of an issue amongst college students. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism posted a nation-wide survey, which conducted that nearly 60 percent of students ages 18-22 drank alcohol in the past month. Nearly two-thirds of those students binge drank in the same time frame. Furthermore, the survey stated that 1 in 4 students report “academic consequences,” which include missing class, doing poorly on classwork, and receiving lower grades overall. When you’re paying over $20,000 a year, is it really worth it?

So from us to you, lets quickly consider the benefits of not spending every weekend partying:

Better sleep! What college student does not absolutely treasure the bestowal of a fantastic slumber? You’ll also find yourself to be more attentive in class, which will be unquestionably rewarding. Your overall health will improve and you will have more time to go to the gym and take part in other activities, which don’t feel so good alongside a hangover. With much more free time you can procure a part time job and an added bonus? You’ll be spending a lot less money when you eliminate those expensive drinking habits. Other benefits include more time to explore hobbies and interests and you will meet a larger variety of people whose interests surpass partying. College is a time to explore and learn more about yourself, so don’t spend the whole time so obliterated you lose the opportunity to do so. Freedom is liberating, so don’t take advantage of it! Most importantly, strive to live the happiest, healthiest lives you can. After all your body is a temple, not a trash can.