Information for Students

First Year Students
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
International Students
Alcohol and Athletes
Going Abroad

Every student experiences college from their own perspective, bringing to college personal family values, cultures and practices that are unique to their ethnic background or country that they come from. Amid these differences each new year of college brings new growth, opportunities of exploration and decisions surrounding social, vocational and life goals. Hopefully the following links can provide some guidance as to what is normal and assist in the decision making process.

First Year Students

Notre Dame is a unique university with many opportunities for academic learning, social experiences, volunteering, leadership development and spiritual growth. Being a first year student, you will have many avenues to explore new-found freedom, a new perspective on self confidence, and the opportunity to learn what college is all about. As such, it is important to take a step back and think about the decisions you want to make and how you want to balance your lifestyle.

Common issues first year students experience:

• Establishing new friendships and a place in the social scene.
• Homesickness, dealing with the separation from parents and friends.
• Learning that you are no longer the best at everything (“A small fish in a big ocean!”). This reality is common with the transition for many at Notre Dame.
• Knowing that academic challenges and demands are going to be greater than ever.
• Sorting through decisions about drinking; the myths, pressures, and challenges of the new social culture.

“So, what can I do?” (Helpful Hints):

• Do not jump into anything too quickly, no matter what it is. Good decisions happen one step at a time.
• Know that you are not alone; others are going through the same thing, even if it isn’t verbalized.
• Try different activities and social groups until you find the some that fit. The Student Activities website has comprehensive information about social activities, clubs and organizations, as well as information on programs and campus events throughout the week.
• As you establish new best friends, keep in mind that most solid, healthy friendships are made outside of a party that involves heavy drinking.
• If you intend to experiment with drinking, do not cave to social pressures of chugging and doing shots. Women should never exceed more than 2 drinks per evening and only one drink per hour. Men should not exceed 3-4 drinks in an evening no more than one per hour. Keep in mind that if you are under the age of 21 you can experience both university and legal consequences if caught drinking; you do not have to be intoxicated to get into trouble.
• Most first year students do not drink both nights of the weekend or every weekend, and many don’t drink at all. If you are in a social group that exceeds this, you may need to look further.

Most critical situations for first year students:

• Getting caught in the “work hard, play hard” mentality feeds into impulsiveness that often ends with regrets such as physical violence, damage to dorm property, arguments with friends, injuries or sometimes life-threatening behavior such as alcohol poisoning.
• Of those first year students who experience alcohol poisoning, most end up in the hospital because of social pressures to chug or do shots.
• More first year women fall victim to sexual assault and acquaintance rape than any other female population on campus.

If the transition to college becomes overwhelming please talk with hall staff, your peers or parents to work through the process. You can also contact the University Counseling Center for assistance 631-7336.

The Office of Alcohol and Drug Education is available for consultation and assistance in decision making around drinking choices. Please feel free to ask for assistance 631-7970.

Sophomore Year

Sophomore year brings a new experience of excitement. You are returning to campus with established friends, a clearer view toward a major and have matured out of first year experimentation.

Common Issues of Sophomore Students:

• Building your resume.
• Establishing a major.
• Deciding whether or not to study abroad
• Encountering an occasional slump as senior year still seems to be away in the distance.
• Experiencing greater pressure to party off campus and the expectation to drink.

Helpful Hints:

• Although senior year seems a long way off, the resume has to start now! If you have put off getting involved in activities, clubs and volunteer experiences get involved now.
• Visit your academic advisor or the Career Center if you have not established a major.
• Visit International Studies and look into overseas experiences.
• If you get in a slump, recognize it, and get yourself out of it. Time really goes a lot faster than you think. (Adapt to that sluggishness with physical activity, add some culture to your life, attend concerts, plays, etc.)
• Remember that the majority of sophomores have matured out of the need to abuse alcohol and binge drink on weekends. Typically there is a real split with sophomores: most move on and decide they are over the frequent need to get drunk and have matured out of the “the new freedom from parents”. Others will remain enmeshed in abusive drinking habits.
• Know that violations of the alcohol policy can result in losing opportunities to go abroad, participating in the Peace Corps, medical and law school and internships. No one is immune to this unless you are a non-drinker.

Junior Year

Junior year brings higher expectations of performance, the seriousness of knowing senior year will be approaching, a more realistic look at what you have accomplished so far, and a self-assessment for the future. The majority of students realize the type of balance that is needed in their lifestyle to accomplish being the person they have set out to be, and have matured out of the acute need for the approval of others to define who they are.

Common Issues of Junior Students:

• Spending time abroad.
• Exploring internships.
• Establishing career goals.
• Possibly living off campus.
• Taking stronger leadership roles in the dorm.
• Turning 21 or being the last of friends to turn 21.
• Facing stronger legal consequences if intoxicated.
• Perhaps beginning a serious relationship.

Helpful Hints:

• If going abroad, familiarize yourself with the customs, expectations, laws and differences in alcohol content.
• Visit the Career Center to assist with internships and career decisions.
• If living off campus, familiarize yourself with city ordinances and respect your neighbors.
• Underclassmen are going to look to you for direction and leadership. Set good examples; model and lead, but never pressure others.
• Although many of your friends are 21 it is not a good idea to use a fake I.D. or sneak into the bars. Try to balance activities and be the designated driver when going to parties.
• If you are 21, you now can experience stricter legal consequences for contributing to minors, public intoxication, and DUI.

Senior Year

Senior Year, the anticipation of the world and beyond. What will you be doing one year from now? The realization has hit that your undergraduate years will soon be over…. leaving friends…. moving on…. new location…. new life.

Common Issues of Senior Students:

• If you are returning from being abroad you’ll need to re-acclimate from the overseas experience and adjust to state and local laws around drinking.
• Experiencing the last of every tradition and event during your stay at Notre Dame without being “that guy” or “that girl” or facing an arrest.
• You may still be one of the few seniors who is not 21.
• What is life going to be like after graduation?
• Anticipation of employment or what graduate school you will attend.
• Attending job/law school/medical school interviews.
• Uncertainty if future plans or employment has not been established.
• Living and accepting the role of being an RA.
• Separation anxiety.
• Loss of old friendships when returning from abroad or maybe some friends have already graduated.
• Expectations of being an increasingly independent adult.
• If in a relationship/dating, how will everything change after graduation?

Helpful Hints:

• If returning from abroad, re-acquaint self with state and local laws.
• Enjoy your last traditions. However, don’t let them become regrets. You want to see your last football game from in the stands.
• If not 21, plan social events that don’t necessarily involve going to the bars.
• Use university resources to explore employment and graduate opportunities.
• If you are an RA, make sure you have a support system and make personal time!
• Separation anxiety is normal; don’t dwell on it, but make the best of the time you have.
• Attempt to reconnect with old friends and remember Notre Dame is an opportunity to continue to meet people and grow in relationships.
• Significant relationships can and do survive; listen and support each others’ decisions no matter where it may lead.

Office of Student Affairs