Alcohol use can result in missing class, doing poorly on tests or projects, disciplinary issues, or other problems.

The following statistics show on average, students who drink the most alcohol receive the lowest grades:

• A students average 3.1 per week
• B students average 4.4 drinks per week
• C students averages 5.6 drinks per week
• D and F students average 9.5 drinks per week

Students who are out late partying often oversleep and miss classes. Someone who is hung over is more likely to sleep in, or may be too sick to attend class. People who party several times a week can fall behind on their homework, projects, or papers – causing a low GPA and even dropping out of school.

One night of heavy drinking can impair your ability to think abstractly for up to 30 days, limiting your ability to relate textbook reading to what your professor says.

There is also evidence that alcohol use affects some of the essential brain functions needed for learning. In their book Buzzed, (revised in 2003) authors Kuhn, Scwartzwelder and Wilson describe five areas where mental functioning can be compromised.

Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy (Third Edition)

Memory Foundation

Memory foundation is the ability to form new memories, not the ability to recall information that was learned in the past. A chronic drinker may be able to recall something from their childhood, but may not be able to remember what they ate for lunch four hours ago. Also, the richness and detail of the memories during the past few years of drinking might be significantly less than those in earlier years. On mental ability tests, chronic drinkers often perform poorly on retention skills.

Abstract Thinking

The brain interprets different events, observations, and happenings in a variety of ways. Additionally, one of the major tasks of the brain is to distinguish the difference between concrete, obvious, and surface reasoning, and abstract thinking such as word puzzles and interpreting stories. Overall, abstract thinking is more difficult for chronic drinkers.

Problem Solving

Similar to thinking in an abstract way, problem solving often involves using different strategies and reasoning skills. We also need mental flexibility, the ability to switch strategies and approaches to problems in order to solve them efficiently. In testing situations, heavy drinkers find themselves taking much longer to find solutions because they get stuck in one particular method of problem solving.

Attention and Concentration

There is some evidence that chronic drinkers have a hard time keeping their attention focused and maintaining their concentration. Attentiveness and concentration are mental functions used in the classroom on a daily basis and are critical parts of the learning process. The degree to which these functions are affected depends on how much alcohol is consumed. Chronic long-term abusers of alcohol experience the major effects. However, “social drinkers” also develop deficits in their mental functioning. The more alcohol a person has when they go out, the more likely they are to experience negative effects.

Perceptions of Emotion

Recent studies show that alcoholics acquire the inability to perceive emotion in people’s language. The specific brain function that allows us to perceive attitude and emotion in conversation is impaired in heavy drinkers. It is important to realize that this deficiency is one of perception and does not reflect the drinker’s own emotional state.

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1. Buzzed – 420 Marijuana Use and College Students

The folks over at College and Finance have written 10 tips on how you can avoid being “that guy (or girl)” who commits college party fouls. The article offers a combination of humor along with some good advice that can make a party more enjoyable for everyone.

Experience is the key, if you like to party find other people who like to party as well, and you stay in the loop. Whether tailgating, fraternity house, off-campus near the university it is important for you to learn the mistakes BEFORE you make them.

2. No one cares how intoxicated you are – This should probably be called “The Freshman Rule,” because Freshman are the most frequent offenders. It’s okay to be inebriated, but you don’t need to announce it to all your friends, roommates, and any strangers at the party. I’m happy when people are having a good time, but that doesn’t mean I need updates on their BAC levels every ten minutes. It’s fine if you feel the need to inform a friend or two, but running around the party screaming “Dude! I’m so messed up right now!!” is quite unbecoming.

The college party is an iconic part of the college experience, immortalized in movies like Animal House and absorbing the weekends of students everywhere. Remember you will probably have to travel off campus as most campus residences are not conducive to parting.

On a serious note it is important to be safe when you party. If you are driving be sure you have a designated driver. A night of fun is not worth risking your life. Bring enough money so you can call a cab if you can not find a sober driver. Live to party another night!

NEVER accept an open container or cup if you did not see it opened or filled.

Parties are more fun if you go with your friends. Be sure and watch out for each other to help them avoid making party fouls. Never leave a friend behind and don’t let a friend go home with someone they do not know.

While it is okay to commit a party foul once in a while, you don’t want to be the butt of party jokes of find yourself not invited to more parties. Head over to College and Finance to read the full article, “Partying 101 – How to Avoid the Party Foul”.

New Years Eve Party @ UNC Charlotte

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