<p>My daughter (one and only) started college this week as did many of her friends. I have heard from kids at three different schools that during this first week anywhere from 3-7 kids have already gone to the hospital for over-drinking. These are three very different schools in size, location, and type (one is Jesuit). Is this typical, does this happen all year long, is this a freshman only thing?</p>
<p>Yes, Not for most, pretty much but older students will take the opportunity to welcome fresh meat.</p>
<p>barrons, I’m sorry but I don’t understand your post. </p>
<p>It happens. Welcome week tends to be the biggest party of the year and after that it settles down. Most of those who binge drink to the point of needing to go to the hospital are first-time drinkers or those who drink very rarely. Most people know their limits if they drank before college. </p>
<p>I really don’t think older students see “fresh meat”. Most of us older students think freshmen binge drinking to that level is really stupid.</p>
<p>I think that a number of things come in to play including new found freedom; free alcohol, no curfews, no having to sneak into the house, no having to face the parents in the morning while trying to hide the hangover. </p>
<p>I am willing to bet money that some of these students there are a mix of students who are trying to fit in and feel that this is the way to do so along with a group who were probably partying pretty hard before they left for college and now it has been just ampped up a notch.</p>
<p>Just follow the questions–answers are in same order. If the person getting loaded is a female they will overlook that shortcoming. </p>
<ol>
<li>Is this typical, -YES 2. does this happen all year long, Not for most. 3.Is this a freshman only thing? On the getting too drunk-mostly but see above. Many frats and off campus houses have big parties that will admit freshman girls but not guys. Then use your imagination. If there is a home football game it really up the wattage.</li>
</ol>
<p>“ASO to the two Freshmen walking on Johnson flipping your hair and discussing how you want to have a “pillow pet pregame.” I’ve never laughed so hard in my life. Take it from an upperclassman… I promise that will not make you cool.”</p>
<p>“SO to sitting on my balcony and drinking beer while freshies and their parents walk by and stare disapprovingly at me. You may be in denial now, but this WILL be your child in a couple of months.”</p>
<p>My first dorm “party” (long time ago) experience was a drinking game. I wasn’t a drinker (never have been) but I wasn’t stupid either (thank goodness for parents). Drinking age was 18 so that was never a factor. My parents had always allowed us to taste or have small amounts of wine at special occasions. I grew up in a " moderation for everything" philosophy. And a less is better…but no surprises.
I was surprised at how many kids had never tasted liquor and thought of it as “finally being free” from parental control. Not good.<br>
I was happy at the time to find my independence at college just as they did … but happier in the long run to know that drinking wasn’t a “prove yourself” test.</p>
<p>Binge drinking increases every year during college and peaks among seniors. However, among first-years, there is significantly more going from no or little drinking to an awful lot of it.</p>
<p>At many schools, so-called “moderate” (non-binge, non-abstainer) drinkers are a distinct minority.</p>