Pressure to drink

[Anonymous]

Please search this forum because this point has been argued on here many times.

I am a researcher who can say with confidence that more dangerous drinking patterns are associated with greek presence/membership.

To get some sense of each campus' social norms (which do differ for sure), I suggest you look up the schools you are considering on the NICHE website. Under Campus Life, they show survey results to the following questions. While respondents are not random, this feature does allow you to compare schools.

<<How does peer pressure affect students' use of drugs and alcohol?

You can have a great social life without drugs or alcohol.

Most people partake in some form, but no one treats you differently if you don't.

You'll definitely feel a little awkward if you don't drink.>>

[Anonymous]

I think this is worse for men. I was in a sorority and the only pressure to drink would have been being bored around the rest of us. Even then, there were girls who just didn't party.

I would think it's easier to be a person who just doesn't drink - people respect that. I think the challenge is less pressure to drink and more just that it's not that fun to hang out with a bunch of drunk 20 year olds if you're sober.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a college sophomore who tells me everything, and in all honesty it sounds like alcohol is no longer the only worry on a college campus. Weed is just as common and readily available. Cocaine is also surprisingly prevalent. The wealthier the school, the harder the drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a college sophomore who tells me everything, and in all honesty it sounds like alcohol is no longer the only worry on a college campus. Weed is just as common and readily available. Cocaine is also surprisingly prevalent. The wealthier the school, the harder the drugs.

This was true when I went to college 30 years ago. Alcohol is the least of your worries, especially at schools of the wealthy. Fortunately, I was on scholarship, so couldn't afford the drugs.
Any school with a large frat culture will have more of a party scene.

On the other hand, I never experienced any pressure to drink or do drugs, because that meant there was more for everyone else and also a sober driver if needed. I've only experienced pressure to drink since I moved to the DC area after college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a college sophomore who tells me everything, and in all honesty it sounds like alcohol is no longer the only worry on a college campus. Weed is just as common and readily available. Cocaine is also surprisingly prevalent. The wealthier the school, the harder the drugs.

I agree about the SES link.

One reason we ruled out Hobart and William Smith is because their school newspaper had an article about how EVERYONE used ADHD drugs during finals week. The article was not saying that was a problem. It was a way of life. As if you would be at a disadvantage if you did not. Kids stated these things using their real names. That is a cultural indication.

[Anonymous]

Educate your kids. Even club sports haze sometimes. This is not just a greek problem. This is not just a tailgate school problem. It’s on us. Kids need to know what is out there and how to keep themselves safe before they go. Don’t pretend they won’t encounter it and don’t pretend they won’t try it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a college sophomore who tells me everything, and in all honesty it sounds like alcohol is no longer the only worry on a college campus. Weed is just as common and readily available. Cocaine is also surprisingly prevalent. The wealthier the school, the harder the drugs.

I agree about the SES link.

One reason we ruled out Hobart and William Smith is because their school newspaper had an article about how EVERYONE used ADHD drugs during finals week. The article was not saying that was a problem. It was a way of life. As if you would be at a disadvantage if you did not. Kids stated these things using their real names. That is a cultural indication.

You’ll find the same at UVA and VT. It’s rampant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a college sophomore who tells me everything, and in all honesty it sounds like alcohol is no longer the only worry on a college campus. Weed is just as common and readily available. Cocaine is also surprisingly prevalent. The wealthier the school, the harder the drugs.

I agree about the SES link.

One reason we ruled out Hobart and William Smith is because their school newspaper had an article about how EVERYONE used ADHD drugs during finals week. The article was not saying that was a problem. It was a way of life. As if you would be at a disadvantage if you did not. Kids stated these things using their real names. That is a cultural indication.

You’ll find the same at UVA and VT. It’s rampant.

UVa is a wealthy school.

[Anonymous]

Tell your child, if they are at a party where people are giving them grief (or light teasing) about not drinking- tell them to get a red solo cup and put water in it (or soda) and drink it- people will assume they are drinking something. Tell them to never put their cup down and walk away.

[Anonymous]

Sad that our culture is so alcohol-centric.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you, lots of good things to think and talk about. I am worried about all substances. I was wondering if big state schools would be more focused on tailgating, sports, and parties. But, if SES is a big factor, then perhaps not. For background, I attended a small women’s college. Alcohol was available but no peer pressure. A bit lost on how to advise my very social son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you, lots of good things to think and talk about. I am worried about all substances. I was wondering if big state schools would be more focused on tailgating, sports, and parties. But, if SES is a big factor, then perhaps not. For background, I attended a small women’s college. Alcohol was available but no peer pressure. A bit lost on how to advise my very social son.

SES is not the biggest factor at all. I went to a high-SES school, intense, huge frat scene. I only drank a little and it was my choice. I never let it become a habit or affect my academics. Even now, I barely drink at all, based on habits that I taught myself as a college student. I second the solo cup idea. Also, drink slowly or pretend to drink. Honestly, most of the booze available is terrible at frats anyway, so it's not hard to pretend to drink it.

My husband's cousin attended a big state school, fell in with a drug crowd, dropped out, and served jail time for dealing.

Is your son a leader or a follower? If he has self-confidence and a clear goal going into college, he will be fine. If he is directionless and going because you/others expect him to or relies on others to make choices, then he is more likely to have a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad that our culture is so alcohol-centric.

You think kids at European schools don’t drink? LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a college sophomore who tells me everything, and in all honesty it sounds like alcohol is no longer the only worry on a college campus. Weed is just as common and readily available. Cocaine is also surprisingly prevalent. The wealthier the school, the harder the drugs.

I agree about the SES link.

One reason we ruled out Hobart and William Smith is because their school newspaper had an article about how EVERYONE used ADHD drugs during finals week. The article was not saying that was a problem. It was a way of life. As if you would be at a disadvantage if you did not. Kids stated these things using their real names. That is a cultural indication.

This is now at every school unfortunately. So many kids take ADHD medicine and they are more than willing to sell it or give it away

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a college sophomore who tells me everything, and in all honesty it sounds like alcohol is no longer the only worry on a college campus. Weed is just as common and readily available. Cocaine is also surprisingly prevalent. The wealthier the school, the harder the drugs.

I agree about the SES link.

One reason we ruled out Hobart and William Smith is because their school newspaper had an article about how EVERYONE used ADHD drugs during finals week. The article was not saying that was a problem. It was a way of life. As if you would be at a disadvantage if you did not. Kids stated these things using their real names. That is a cultural indication.

This is now at every school unfortunately. So many kids take ADHD medicine and they are more than willing to sell it or give it away

Agreed. This isn't a function of any kind of school or student body. It's not like high school kids don't have access as well.