College Life: Enjoying Your Freedom Without Compromising Your Principles

By Michele Blandino

Most teenagers anxiously anticipate the freedom associated with living at college. And, while there may be a tinge of sadness at the prospect of leaving home, usually the lure of eliminated curfews, increased independence and increased freedom to make virtually every personal decision without the input (or meddling) of parents and other family members far outweighs any sadness the fledgling student may feel.

However, with so many new temptations and freedoms, it is easy to see how many young college students end up in trouble with drugs, alcohol, credit, grades and even poor health. With that thought in mind, here are a few things to consider when faced with the new experiences associated with being away from home for the first time.

Credit Cards

It’s a fairly well known fact that credit card companies send scores of applications to college students who, by and large, live on a very limited budget. In exchange for increased buying power, these students find themselves saddled with extraordinarily high interest rates and minimum payments that usually exceed their monthly allowance.

To avoid these problems, it is important that you check out the fine print before signing a credit card application. Look for cards that do not charge an annual fee and allow the bill to be paid in full within 30 days so that interest charges can be avoided. And finally, remember that credit cards are not a substitute for cash; eventually the bills will need to be paid. What’s more, failing to properly manage your credit card purchases can result in damage to your credit rating that can take years to repair.

Late Nights

With no parents around to nag about going to bed, most college students quickly make burning the midnight oil a regular habit. And, once the workload associated with college begins to pile up, the hours can get even later. Add to this the fact that many college students also work at least one part-time job in order to make ends meet, and it’s easy to see how sleep is relegated to the bottom of the list of priorities. Unfortunately, a chronic lack of sleep can led to bigger problems such as poor performance on tests, on the job and can ultimately have an adverse effect on one’s overall health. As a result, it is important to make sure you get the rest you need.

Personal Safety

Many students have a false sense of security when it comes to their college campus and as a result, they take unnecessary risks such as walking through campus alone late at night, leaving their dorm room unlocked and being too trusting of their new friends. It’s important to realize that a college campus is by no means a crime free zone and that the chances of being victimized by theft, rape or assault are just as high there as they are on virtually any city street. As a result, it is advisable for all college students to take the same types of precautions on campus as they would in their hometown.

Parties

For many, the word college is synonymous with party. And, while it is true that on nearly every college campus you could probably find at least one party on any given night, it is important to understand that the laws of the town and the state also apply to the college. In other words, if the legal drinking age in the state in which the college is located is 21, then that age applies to activities taking place on the school’s campus as well. Many times, underage students incorrectly believe that because they are on a college campus, they are on private property and thus exempt from the prevailing laws.

College is a time for young people to test their independence, learn to fend for themselves and gain a better understanding of what it takes to succeed. It is also a time to have fun and, provided the student makes a habit of making good choices, there is no reason why they can’t succeed while having fun.