In almost every form of media that revolves around the college experience, parties are at the center. Even in real life, college parties are something that students look forward to. During the first few weeks, many students have newfound freedom, being away from the careful monitoring of their parents, so they go to parties to let loose.
It’s no surprise that kids do irresponsible things at parties like underage drinking. Around 70% of students go to more parties when they start college. From a sustainability point of view, going to parties every other night can be harmful for the academic side of college. Drinking and staying up late into the night makes it more likely to miss class and or feel hungover and bad. It can also affect the way that you go about doing things like homework and studying. While planning your nights around parties in moderation can work out, in the long term, it can badly affect how you succeed academically.
Every year, there are liquor law violations, both on and off campus. Looking at the last two school years, there were 13 in 2024 and 20 in 2023 all leading to arrests. While the number does not seem that large, it is important to note that even though it is not documented there are many students who continue to consume alcohol even though they are underage. This can lead to possible long-term liver and brain damage or from an academic viewpoint, lead to public intoxication or even expulsion from the university if caught.
It’s no surprise that even with the risks of underage drinking, students will continue to do it. College parties have become a spectacle to new students, allowing them to meet others and make friends that they might have been too nervous to speak to otherwise. While certain aspects of the partying scene are bad, yes, there is no doubt that without them, colleges would lack a large way to socially connect. Not every college student will go to parties and not everyone will drink at them, but when students do go to parties, it can be a good way to socialize and relax from daily stressors. They allow you to go out and meet many different types of people in a relatively low-stakes environment, sometimes allowing you to make long-term friends.
Thinking on the sustainability of parties, there are three main factors: Academically, Socially, and physically/mentally. Going to them every night, while it can be fun, is not the best choice. Choosing to stay up and consume alcohol over getting sleep and completing schoolwork every other night will cause your grades to suffer. Drinking every night can also harm your body and mind, leading to long-term damage to your liver and brain. Socially, it can help you make friends, but partying at every chance you get is not a sustainable choice, even for a small amount of excitement. With responsible drinking, partying every once in a while can be beneficial. We just have to be responsible and not take advantage of the freedom we have away from home.