Talking with Your College Student about Alcohol

As the semester begins, parents can use this important time to help prepare their college-age sons and daughters by talking with them about the consequences of excessive drinking.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the first 6 weeks of the first semester are critical to a first-year student’s academic success. Because many students initiate heavy drinking during these early days of college, the potential exists for excessive alcohol consumption to interfere with successful adaptation to campus life. The transition to college is often difficult and about one-third of first-year students fail to enroll for their second year.

During these crucial early weeks, parents can do a variety of things to stay involved. They can inquire about campus alcohol policies, call their sons and daughters frequently, and ask about roommates and living arrangements.They should also discuss the penalties for underage drinking as well as how alcohol use can lead to date rape, violence, and academic failure.

(above information reproduced from National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism College Fact Sheet)

How can YOU start the conversation?

Here are a few questions you can ask:

1. How will you decide whether or not you will drink?

2. What reasons will you give your peers for choosing not to drink or to drink responsibly? (UND's Guide to Low-Risk Drinking)

3. What will you do if your friend passes out from drinking too much?

4. How do you plan to get home after a night of drinking?

Make sure to be informed and have the resources to inform your student if he/she does not have an answer.

Also, let your student know what your expectations are when it comes to alcohol and drug use as well as balancing social life and school responsibilities.

Lastly, be honest with your student. Share with them your own life experiences and let them know it may be hard to make healthy decisions, but it is possible. Check out the resources offered in the Useful Links for Students and Useful Links for Families sections.