In college today, every weekend revolves around alcohol. But, this isn’t a 21st-century phenomenon. Since the beginning of time going to college has been defined as hard academics and wild parties, no matter what type of school you attend. In my college experience so far, I’ve seen people ruin their lives over a few too many mixed drinks or one too many shots. Unfortunately, our generation continues to “love” binge drinking. Heavy episodic drinking is a modern epithet for “drinking alcoholic beverages with an intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time." First of all, whoever thought that was a good idea anyway?
Most colleges have whole weekends or even an entire week dedicated to binge drinking. At the University of Pennsylvania, they call it “Spring Fling.” At the University of Richmond, we call it “Pig Roast." It’s all about rallying. They are all the same; it means a nightmare for the University staff and one hell of a good time for the students, in most circumstances.
I’m here to say as a college sophomore, binge drinking is not worth it. You can drink and still enjoy yourself without becoming the slob at the party. No one wants to be that person anyway.
I have come across some students who stress that they are tired of taking care of the same people each weekend. They really wish everyone would take responsibility for their own actions. They are guardian angels, but most people refer to her or him as the “mom” of the group. They look out for what really matters and sometimes they may force feed you goldfish or replace your drinks with water, but it is all in the act of tough love. They see the nights you don’t remember and those that you wish to forget entirely.
“How fun is it to completely black out or wake up in throw up? How do you feel okay with relying on other people to take care of you when you are 18, 19, 20, or even 21 years old?” You should not be expecting anyone to take care of you. And if you are reading this to yourself and saying, “yeah that’s me,” you owe someone a huge thank you. You probably owe them so much; it’s too late to thank them, but do it anyway because you really don't understand what would happen to you without them. They didn't come to college to become parents. They care so much, that they are willing to stand by you and not let you fall even if you so desperately want to. You couldn't ask for a better friend.
At some point, I hope people learn their limits and take responsibility for themselves because there isn’t always going to be a “mom” around. I also hope that they figure it out before it's too late. It's time to get out of the clouds. If you think binge drinking is worth risking everything you have worked so hard for in academics and athletics, you are not seeing the whole picture. Your parents want you to thrive. They don’t pay to have you spend your days wasted. They want to see you graduate and so do your friends and professors. In the last two years, I have seen two sets of parents bury their children due to overuse of alcohol. Everyone can say, “Why didn’t anyone check on him?” or, “Why didn’t anyone stop her before she got this bad?” or worst yet, “that’ll never be me." However, the “mom’s” of the college world are saying, “why didn’t they take responsibility for themselves? I can’t take care of everyone.” So, please, in a last-stitch effort, drink responsibly and watch out for your friends, they need you as much as you need them.
