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 in 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 ones 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 will be 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 and 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.