From juggling deadlines to a part time job student life is not as easy as it seems. Money is in short supply and a considerable number of students leave home and move into student accommodation to get the freedom that adolescents desire. There are many new challenges individuals face when becoming independent for the first time such as experiencing a drug and alcohol culture.
Freshers’ week is the week before university official starts filled with sociable events immersing all years of students to mingle with one and other. During this period there is a pressure on young people to be a part of the drinking culture which also involves drug taking on occasions.
Meeting new people can be a daunting experience thus using alcohol or drugs as a crutch to ease the awkward tension. This habit could then turn into a common occurrence which is when this issue materializes. 60% of students find it difficult not to drink too much and 38%, overall, say alcohol helps them to socialize. New alcohol guidelines by the Department of Health and Social Care suggests that the maximum alcohol consumption for men and women is 14 units a week yet the average consumption for students is over 20 units. Furthermore, a survey by National Union of Students (NUS) shows there is a relationship between students and alcohol with “79% of students agree that drinking and getting drunk is part of university culture”.
Many night clubs target students during the week with low priced drink and free entry leading to impromptu night outs. Yet students fail to see the harmful effects of drinking to their body and their academic achievement. Drinking alcohol has many short and long-term impacts on the body from organ damage, an increase in blood pressure and various cancers. It has also been linked with affecting cognitive abilities from memory impairment, the ability to retain information and the failure of abstract thinking. Moreover, influencing academic achievement negatively.
A study from the Journal of Applied Psychology established a correlation between heavy drinkers and employment. It was reported an 10% decrease in employment following graduation for those who consume a significant amount of alcohol. The average alcohol fueled, hormone induced, blowout will conclude itself at 3am, 4am after the drunken walk home and the take away stop. Studies show the average student needs around nine hours of sleep, per night, to function and retain new knowledge. Adolescents that are sleep deprived are more likely to become absent from university therefore, get unsatisfactory grades due to a lack of attention and dedication.
Additionally, drinking is glorified by a range of university societies, for new students, as these groups plan weekly nights out with a theme attached to every event. Consequently, making some students feel peer pressured into going out and getting intoxicated to be included as part of that society as it is perceived as the norm. A survey, conducted by NUS, was completed by 2,215 university students discovered that “70% of students drink alcohol to fit in with their peers”. Furthermore, societies do not offer alternative activities that does not incorporate alcohol therefore there is no other opportunities to interact and socialize with the team.
A study corelated by Edinburgh Napier University demonstrates an alcohol price comparison of the cost of beer to the average monthly costs. For instance, having three pints in a pub, three times per week is the equivalent of spending £124.92 a month. Thus, exhibiting an expensive lifestyle on a student budget. The average SAAS loan consists of £475 a month budget and with the average student consuming 80 units a month, that’s a total of £160 directly funding alcohol or 33% of the SAAS loan.
A self-evident point to challenge coercion from peers when dealing with drugs is that it is illegal. Although, this doesn’t stop students from using it should be taken into consideration. Being introduced into a drug and alcohol culture at such a young age can be, away from home, can be a dangerous environment to be involved in.
Starting at university and becoming completely independent can be a daunting reality and with it, students will take any opportunity to procrastinate and evade the workload placed upon them. With a new sense of freedom many don’t understand the responsibility that follows from weekly budgeting to attending classes. For some, the step up to university can result in an overwhelming amount of stress and anxiety leading them down the road to stress and anxiety suppressants. Drugs and alcohol.
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Alcohol and Drugs as Challenges for University Students.
(2022, December 15). Edubirdie. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/alcohol-and-drugs-as-challenges-for-university-students/
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Alcohol and Drugs as Challenges for University Students [Internet]. Edubirdie.
2022 Dec 15 [cited 2024 Nov 2].
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