<p>Traditional-aged students head off to college at the same time that their instincts for pairing with significant others peak. This is also the same time that they’re leaving behind their familiar social structures and becoming autonomous decision-makers. For many (most?) 18-year-olds - especially for males - social and romantic confidence are still works in progress. Trying to break the ice with potential partners is awkward and threatening, and alcohol is a magic elixir that makes the butterflies go away (even though it usually makes one realize their own worst nightmare of self-embarassment). As a result, the answer to the question about significant drinking levels at NU is “yes” - just as it is at any university with a more or less traditional-aged student body.</p>