If you’re attending a four-year degree university in Tennessee, you’ll likely encounter numerous academic and personal challenges as you work toward earning your diploma. College life can be exciting, stressful, memorable and a bit frightening at times. If it’s the first time you’ve ever been away from home, you might feel homesick for a while, but such feelings may greatly subside once you settle into a routine and become acquainted with a new group of friends.
The latter can be a great source of encouragement and support in college. Depending on which friends you choose, it can also lead to some serious legal problems, especially if you’re hanging out with a party crowd. There are several reasons many college students drink. Careful consideration ahead of time can help you stay safe and prevent legal trouble, as well, especially concerning possible criminal charges for driving under the influence of alcohol.
You might relate to these college-life issues
No two college experiences are exactly the same, and no one is perfect. You may have some semesters that are a lot better than others as you navigate four years of collegiate study. With regard to alcohol consumption, the following list shows some of the most common reasons students cite for why they develop drinking habits in college:
- As mentioned earlier, college life can be quite stressful. Many students say they drink alcohol to help them feel more relaxed.
- If you tend to suffer from anxiety in social situations, you may be among those who say that having a drink or two helps them feel more confident when socializing on or off campus.
- A great number of college students drink because they think it’s fun.
- If you’re trying to adapt to a party culture at your school, you may feel like drinking will help you fit in.
- Peer pressure doesn’t typically end after high school. Many college kids say they drink because someone pressured them into it.
- Not only college students but adults in general often drink alcohol to try to distract themselves or forget about problems they’re having in life.
If you’re age 21 or older, then consuming an alcoholic beverage doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing anything illegal or that you will not be able to maintain a high academic standard in college. However, it is definitely a fact that alcohol-related incidents can negatively affect, even ruin, a college career, especially if you face DUI charges in a Tennessee court.
Reaching out for support on or off campus
If you feel like a drinking habit has gotten out of hand in your life, you can explore available support options through your student counselor office, or you can research addiction rehabilitation resources in the local area of your campus. Facing DUI or other alcohol-related criminal charges can really throw your college plan off-track, but it doesn’t necessarily have to ruin your life. By reaching out for legal support, you may be able to mitigate your current circumstances and re-route your path toward earning a degree.